Wisdom Of The Owl

By Madisyn Taylor

Owls are patient messengers, bringers of information and the holders of wisdom, capable of seeing the unseen.

For as long as humankind has recognized animals as teachers, wise men and women have recognized traits worthy of respect in both wild and domestic creatures. The cultural and spiritual significance of certain animals transcends geographical boundaries, unifying disparate peoples. Not so the majestic and mysterious owl, which has over many millennia served as the focal point of numerous contradictory beliefs. Though owls have been regarded with awe and fascination, they have also inadvertently served as agents of fear. Since owls are nocturnal, human-owl encounters tended to occur at night and likely when the bird was swooping silently down to earth to grapple with prey. Yet even as some shied away from the owl, calling it an agent of darkness, others recognized the depths of awareness in beautiful owl's eyes.

In the classical Greek tradition, an owl could often be found perched on the shoulder of Athena, goddess of wisdom, while owls could ward off bad luck in Roman lore. It is in Native American mythos, however, that the owl attains its own unique identity. Owls are patient messengers, bringers of information and the holders of wisdom, and they are capable of seeing the unseen. With their keen eyesight, they can glance into the soul to discern meaning and motive, and they are totems of truth. Unlike our distant forebears, we may never encounter an owl in the wild, but we can nonetheless internalize the wisdom of the owl by attuning ourselves to its most venerable qualities. Fully integrating the medicine of the owl into spiritual existence is a matter of considering how we might open ourselves more fully to the wisdom that can be found in the larger universe.

Should you find your efforts blocked as you commune with the owl, remember that it was not always revered as an icon of wisdom. This denizen of the nighttime has overcome many prejudices in its long association with humankind. To reveal those hidden elements of the self that impact your life for better or for worse, you must often make your way through the darkest parts of your soul as if you yourself are the nocturnal hunter. There is indeed darkness both inside the self and outside the self, but like the owl you can transcend it by drawing nourishment from the insights you receive when you penetrate it.

12 Golden Precepts

by Dr. Diane M. Rousseau
January 2007

1.
Remember all life is sacred and so are you; All is conscious and God is the Silent Witness in all.


2.
Thank the Creator with love everyday and love and abundance will return to you; appreciation is the mark of a cultured heart and God hears us from this depth.


3.
Remember, when you give to others and nature, God sees and gives to you. There is no Prayer that is not heard, no gift that God is not a part of, for God exists is the act of giving and in selfless love and Nature’s bounty is God's reminder.


4.
Animals are our little brothers and sisters; love them as children just like you, these Souls are learning as God dwells in all Creation. The Eternal Witness knows our Soul and commends our Spirit as we see the connecting Oneness of the Spirit and the Truth of Life.


5.
God works through all of us in our Higher Nature; listen then to others with your heart and you will receive greater wisdom.


6.
Pray for the good of all life; Nature will pray for you, Angels will protect and watch over you, and Blessings will be yours.


7.
Be happy for others when good happens to them; this is Gods reflection of goodness that you have been blessed to witness. Use this knowledge wisely and Grace will be with you.


8.
See the Sun as God's Grace and Beauty, Blue sky as God's Joy and Peace, the Rainbow as God's Art and Promise, Rain as God's sweetness and nurturing; for God’s Love dwells in all aspects of life.


9.
Know you belong to a Global Family of all colors. Like the Rainbow, each one is special and loved, Male and Female, all are expressions of Gods Creativity and Divine purpose.


10.
Tell the truth always; be kind and honest. These are the things that will Bless you all your life. Darkness can only dwell where there is fear; Living in Light gives inner strength and creates Peace.


11.
God is Love and one who loves abides in God. Know as you care even for the least in the Almighty’s Creation, God in Nature will take care of you.


12.
Seek the Truth of life in all things and live each day with this greater awareness. Wisdom will then be based on knowing the Truth; living it each day will then create a better tomorrow with greater happiness, prosperity, stability and peace.

Recognizing Oneness

"what's happening with the shifts and expansion in the soul collective."

Much love, 
SARA

By Sara Wiseman

"There is only one path to suffering and this arrives from the belief that separation is real. Nothing can be healed with this understanding.

There is only one path to joy, and this arrives from the belief that Oneness is real. Everything can be created with this understanding.

As you reject the misbelief of separation and accept the truth of Oneness, you begin to notice that you have turned a corner. By you we mean collectively. By you we mean all souls. By you we mean all of you: human, animal, plant, all sentient beings. We also include non-sentient beings for they are also part of One. We also include multidimensional beings including those from other galaxies and those in etheric realms for they are also part of One.

Every aspect of everything is One, and you are beginning to know this. Not intellectually, as you once did. But as a feeling, a truth. You feel it in your heart now, and you know that others are feeling it too. You have collectively turned a corner, because you are finally beginning to sensing each other, and you are beginning to understand your Oneness. Collective soul is recognizing itself!  It has taken generations to get here! It has taken profound evolution, and the continued support of all those beings who are working nonstop to assist you.

Many in the Universe understood Oneness long before humanity began, but each community of souls evolves in its own time, and humanity is also evolving. You now have collectively turned a corner, and by this we mean Oneness is in the air. It is in the vibe. It is the flavor of the day. It is in every noticing and every event and every synchronicity. It is in the great swelling up of collective activism, of collective inclusion, and of collectively turning from the old ways of drama and destruction.

Relax into this new sense of Oneness. Trust it. Align with it. Work with it. This is how things will be from now on. Oneness is here, and collective soul is sensing it, and there is no going back into darkness.

What is Stuck Falls Away

You are currently being asked to release relationships and situations that many of you never thought would end. The Universe is moving very quickly in this process, preparing for The Aquarian Age. This grand releasing means that everything that is not meant to stand will no longer stand. This is going to happen fast. It may have happened already.

What is over will disappear. Walls will tumble. Coalitions will fall. Relationships will end. The big structures will groan and shift and dissolve into nothingness. This is true on the big scale, on the world stage. It is also true on the personal stage, the stage of your own life. Everything that has not yet fallen away that needs to fall away, will disappear soon. Everything that is stuck will disappear. There is nothing anyone can do to stop this. It is the natural order to release and make room. What is new is arriving even now.

This releasing is something you did not expect. You may be shocked! Yet even as this releasing happens, at whatever level it happens to you—on the world stage or on the personal stage—you recognize at a soul level that it is necessary. You know this, and yet the speed at which the release is happening may be disconcerting or even uncomfortable to you. You may feel you are in a dream, all of these structures and constructs and identities disappearing so quickly—did they ever really exist at all? Did you really live in that paradigm? Were you really that person? Was it really how life was? The dream feeling will pass, as you orient yourself to this new expansion.

The other difference in this releasing, is that even though you did not see this change coming, or not all of it, even in the middle of the confusion of the loss of structures and identities, you see a new way. It is thrilling! There is a great relief in finally being able to follow what is true! There is a great relief to look around and see so many other souls also sensing this Oneness, also sensing this releasing of the old and this growing toward the new, and the knowing you are doing it together.

At last, collective soul knows itself. Soul recognizes itself as One soul. It has been many generations, many centuries, to bring this about on Earth. Now, this year, as everything shifts and shakes and resettles in new patterns, you recognize this is the beginning of the new paradigm, and you also have the knowing that what is new is connected, whole and streaming with Light. There is no fear here. It’s what you’ve been waiting for. It’s why you came here. It is something collective soul is doing together."

Sara Wiseman

https://www.sarawiseman.com/blog/february-forecast-what-is-stuck-falls-away

A Definitive Guide to Jungian Shadow Work: How to Get to Know and Integrate Your Dark Side

by Scott Jeffrey

OVERVIEW: This guide explores the nature of the shadow and provides tips and exercises for daily shadow work.

______________

It’s always standing right behind us, just out of view. In any direct light, we cast a shadow.

The shadow is a psychological term for everything we can’t see in ourselves.

I understood how important knowing my shadow was when I wrote a biography of a spiritual teacher.

Most of us go to great lengths to protect our self-image from anything unflattering or unfamiliar. And so it’s easier to observe another’s shadow before acknowledging one’s own shadow.

Seeing the shadow of this teacher helped me understand how someone can show gifts in one area of life while remaining unaware of poor behavior in other areas.

Every human being is susceptible to this. I find working with my shadow a rewarding, yet challenging process.

Exploring your shadow can lead to greater authenticity, creativity, energy, and personal awakening. This introspective process is essential for reaching mature adulthood (which is rarer than most think).

Let’s inspect what the shadow is and how it comes into being …

Table of Contents

• What is the Shadow?
• How the Shadow is Born
• Ignore the Shadow At Your Own Peril
• What Happens When You Repress Your Shadow
• Five Benefits of Jungian Shadow Work
  • 1) Improved Relationships
  • 2) Clearer Perception
  • 3) Enhanced Energy and Physical Health
  • 4) Psychological Integration and Maturity
  • 5) Greater Creativity
• Five Tips For When You Engage in Jungian Shadow Work
  • 1) Center Yourself
  • 2) Cultivate Self-Compassion
  • 3) Cultivate Self-Awareness
  • 4) Be Courageously Honest 
  • 5) Record Your Discoveries
• Shadow Work Exercises
  • Exercise #1: Watch Your Emotional Reactions
  • Exercise #2: Engage in Inner Dialogue
  • Exercise #3: Challenge the Good Part
  • Exercise #4: Get to Know the Shadow Archetypes
  • Exercise #5: The 3-2-1 Shadow Process
• Facing Your Shadow Side
• Further Reading on the Shadow
• Read Next

Kindness

By Madisyn Taylor

Kindness expands the light within us and reaches out to touch the light in others as well.

Kindness is an ideal that is easily accessible to all of us. We all know that a small kindness can make our journeys lighter and more enjoyable. Even bringing an instance of kindness to mind can put a smile on your face days or weeks later or perhaps even inspire you to share kindness with another. Though it may seem simple to the point of insignificance, many cultures throughout the world and history have recognized kindness as a powerful virtue. It may be the simplest way to experience and share all the grandest ideals of humanity. We can make the choice to act from the best place within ourselves at any time, while simultaneously recognizing the highest potential in another with the smallest of acts, nourishing the seed of hope in each soul we encounter. 

In a way, kindness acts as the oil that makes the engine of our world move more smoothly and with less friction. We can still get where we are going but the ride is more pleasant, and those around us can share in the ideal world that we help to create. We are all fortunate that kindness is limitless in its supply and available to everyone. When we act in ways that confirm our ideals, we make the ideal our reality. Then, instead of affirming the experience of struggle and competition, we can shift our experience to the reality of ease and pleasurable camaraderie with the fellow citizens of the world. 

Whether giving way to someone in traffic or letting someone go ahead of us in line, donating money or sharing our homes in a crisis, we actively create a universe of kindness and giving with every choice we make. The smallest gesture can bring a smile to light the shadow of an unpleasant situation or remove tension from a difficult task, but it's effects can echo and extend far beyond the moment. We can be sure that we will receive a kindness in return, but giving is its own reward. Kindness expands the light within us and reaches out to touch the light in others as well, giving us all a glimpse of the glow that has the power to enlighten our world. 

Achieving A High Vibration

By Madisyn Taylor - Daily OM

Affirmative activities that leave us feeling joyous, appreciative, loving, and peaceful raise our vibration.

All matter is made up of energy, and that energy is in motion continually. Everything in the universe, from the smallest molecules to the most complex living beings, has an optimal rate of vibration to keep it healthy. We reach this high vibrational level when we are whole, healthy, and fulfilling our potential. Human beings are able to consciously control these vibrations within themselves using a variety of techniques. We know when we have reached a high vibrational state because we feel good and can sense that we are aligned with all that is. We find we are capable of healing and have good intuition and perception that are a result of our resonating closer and closer to our ideal frequencies. 

Thoughts, emotions, intentions, choices, and actions contribute to our vibrational state, as do the environments we inhabit. Affirmative activities that leave us feeling joyous, appreciative, loving, and peaceful raise our vibration. Constructive, creative, and expansive thoughts do the same. When we cultivate habits that contribute to our physical health and strength, our vibration is likewise raised. Certain mantra meditations, breathing exercises, and chants are designed to increase vibration. But simply practicing gratitude and forgiveness, surrounding ourselves with loving high-vibration people, eating whole foods, and spending time in nature can also help us transcend our current vibrational limitations. 

When your desire for change is strong enough, you will find yourself gravitating toward what can help you achieve and maintain a high vibrational state. A positive outlook will then become the most important tool you possess, and this outlook will sustain you when the path leading toward transformation is wide and winding. As you evolve, your vibrational frequency will also evolve, aiding you in the creation of an even higher reality. Consciously and unconsciously, you will attract auspicious circumstances and positive people that will help you continue exploring the scope of your higher self until you move beyond the earthly plane. 

Chants That Will Radically Improve Your Life

By Murray Newlands

Chanting is a spiritual discipline believed to improve listening skills, heightened energy and more sensitivity toward others. Chants can express devotion, gratitude, peace, compassion and call in light into someone's life. Here are chants that can help improve your life.

Compassionate Buddha

The most famous chant in the world is the Compassionate Buddha "Om Mani Padme Hum" which translates to "Hail to the jewel in the lotus." It is the mantra of the Buddha of Compassion, known by the Chinese as Goddess Kuan Yin. The mantra calms fears, soothes concerns and heals broken hearts.

Amazing Grace of Sanskrit

Given the name "Amazing Grace of Sanskrit by the author of "Eat, Pray, Love," Elizabeth Gilbert, the mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" translates to "I bow to Shiva, the supreme deity of transformation who represents, the truest, highest self." Gilbert translates the meaning to "I honor the divinity within myself" as a reminder that there is a divine energy in everyone and that each person should be treated as if they are divine.

Happiness and Freedom

"Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu" is commonly associated with the Jivamukti Yoga School. It translates to "May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all." It is a powerful chant that focuses on living a life as a servant to the greater good. It encourages cooperation, compassion and living in harmony, not only among other humans but with nature as well.

Medicine Buddha Mantra

"Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha" is a chant that is recited for success, helping to eliminate problems and suffering. It is also recited for healing and to benefit people or animals at all times, even when they are healthy.

Mantra of Ganesh

The Mantra of Ganesh is dedicated to the Hindu god of wisdom and success who destroys all obstacles. "Om Gum Ganapatayei Namah," which translates to "I bow to the elephant-faced deity (Ganesh) who is capable of removing all obstacles. I pray for blessings and protection." The mantra is especially beneficial when facing big challenges and when traveling.

Lakshmi Chant

A mantra that translates as a greeting to the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, "Om Shrim Maha Lakshmlyei Swaha." The chant asks for Lakshmi's assistance with material wealth and abundance.

Buddhist Money Mantra

The Buddhist money mantra, "Om Vasudhare Svaha," is a prayer to the earth goddess, Vasudhara. The chant should be repeated 108 times in order to be blessed by deities who will shower them with abundance.

Interview Chant

This chant is perfect when going for a job interview or making a proposal. The words "Pravisi Nagar Kijal Sab Kaaja Hrudaya Rakhi Kosalpur Raja" translate to "Having the impression of Lord Ram, I am entering in the city for doing my work. May all my works and wishes get complete." It can also be used when you enter an office building or the office of the person you are planning to meet.

Mantra for Success

When you are not sure what option is right for your success, chanting "Jehi Vidhi Hoi Naath Hit Moraa Karahu So Vegi Daas Main Toraa," which means "O lord, I am your devotee. I don't know what to do. So do at once whatever is good for me." This mantra is said to show the door of success as long as they are practiced with faith and reverence.

Manjushri Mantra

For those who want to enhance wisdom and improve skills, chanting "Om a ra pa ca na dhih" will increase skills in all types of learning. The more emphasis and times the chant is recited, the more likely it is to succeed.

Vajrapani

Vajrapani represents the energy of an enlightened mind, which is why it is said that chanting"Om vajrapani hum" will cut through delusion and make the chanter free from hatred. He is often pictured dancing wildly within flames as a representation of transformation. The chant helps gain access to excessive energy and even the chant sounds energetic.

Peaceful Life

If it is a peaceful life you seek, the mantra "Sarveshaam Svaastir Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Svaastir Bhavatu, Saveshaam Poornam Bhavatu, Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu, Om Shanti, Shanti Shanteeh" is said to bring peace and tranquility. The phrase translates to:

"May health abound forever
May peace abound forever
May complete abundance abound forever
May auspiciousness abound forever
Om Peace, Peace Peace."

Health, Strength and Peace

There are several mantras that can be used to bring health, strength and peace. For health, chanting "Aham Aarogyam" which translates to I am healthy, is said to bring health, while adding "Om Trayamabakam" brings health for a longer period. For strength, the chant suggested is "Aham Brahmaasmi" which means "I am God," while peace can be obtained by chanting "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti."

Difficult Times

It is said that the chant

"Mookam karoti vaachaalam
Pangum langhayatey girim
Yatkripaa tamaham vandey
Paramaananda Maadhavam"

Can make the cripple climb mountains and the mute speak eloquently. The mantra asks for grace in order to ease someone out of difficult situations. It means:

"I salute that Madhava
The source of Supreme Bliss,
Whose grace makes the dumb man eloquent
And the cripple cross mountains."

Bhagvad Geeta Verse

The 15th verse in the 15th chapter of the Bhagvad Geeta is chanted when a difficult situation becomes worse.

"Sarvasya chaaham kridi sannivishto
Mattas smritir inaanama pochanamcha
Vedaishcha sarvaair ahameva vedyo
Vedaanta krid veda videva chaaham"

In the translation, Krishna says that He is seated in the hearts of all men and women so someone who is causing you difficulty is aware of what you are experiencing as well. By placing your trust in a higher power, whatever is right is what will happen.

Seeking Success

For those seeking success, chanting

"Krishna Krishna Mahaayogin
Bhaktaanaam Bhayankara
Govinda Permaananda
Sarvey Mey Vash Maanay"

Is said to bring that success. The translation asks Krishna to give Supreme Bliss and to bring everything to your favor.

Chant for Prosperity

This chant contains the eight facets of God and uses for repetitions in each verse to give the power necessary to break down barriers from the past and give power to the person chanting.

"Har Har Har Har Gobinday
Har Har Har Har Mukhunday
Har Har Har Har Udharay
Har Har Har Har Aparay
Har Har Har Har Hariong
Har Har Har Har Kariang
Har Har Har Har Nimamay
Har Har Har Har Akamay"

Ancient Mantras

A simple chant is designed to be an homage to Buddha, "Namo AmitaBha" gives honor to the Buddha of Boundless Light, while "Ham-Sah" is a Hindu variant of "I am that I am" meaning "I am that."

Amithaba

The chant that is the sacred mantra of Buddha, Amithabha enhances compassion while bringing blessings each time it is spoken. By chanting "om ami dewa hrih" you will be protected from dangers and obstacles.

Green Tara Mantra

This is often chanted to overcome physical, mental or emotional blockages, although it can also be used for blockages in relationships. "Om tare tuttare ture soha" helps you release hope for a particular outcome and bring the energy back to yourself, generating inner peace and clarity.

Source: https://www.inc.com/murray-newlands/20-awesome-chants-that-will-radically-improve-your-life.html

Top 10 Winnie the Pooh Quotes with Pictures

By Marty - Imagine Forest

Winnie the Pooh has provided generations of children and grownups with insightful and inspiring words that have not only touched their hearts, but have become the most shared children storybooks quotes of all time. Winnie the Pooh may be clumsy at times and a little dim-witted, but he and his friends, Piglet, Owl, Tigger, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and Christopher Robin are full of humbling and heartfelt advice, as shown below (header image from just-pooh.com):

Winnie the Pooh Quotes:

1. Never underestimate yourself.

First on my inspirational list of Winnie the Pooh quotes is:

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

There’s a lot of people out there that think they are not good enough, smart enough or even strong enough. Most of the time this is all down to negative thinking and low self-esteem. The truth is, that if you believe in your head that you are strong enough, chances are you will be strong enough to handle any difficult situation. It’s all about mind over matter, if you believe then you can achieve anything!

2. Success comes from leaving your comfort zone.

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”

I’m guilty of this one! Sometimes I tend to get lazy in my ways and expect opportunities to come to me. When they don’t come, I sit there thinking that life is unfair! But always remember, you are in charge of your own destiny and the decisions you make. If you want to be a writer, don’t just sit there! Do something about. Go to a night class, do an online course or find a mentor. Whatever it takes, there’s always a way and it starts with leaving your comfort zone.

3. Patience is important!

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

In today’s modern life, people expect to get things done quicker and want everything now. This leads to stress, frustration and feeling of inadequacy when you don’t get what you want. It’s important to take time to reflect on your achievements and know that bit by bit you will get there in the end. And most importantly there is no need to rush into things and forget to live your life! There’s a time for everything!

4. Even a weakness has it benefits!

“One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.”

It’s always important to look on the bright side of life. For every weakness there is a strength. For example if people say you’re too quiet, that means you’re more reflective on your decisions and can develop closer relationships with people. If you’re disorganised, then you have the thrill of finding something new every time you look through your stuff. You can almost say that there is no such thing as a weakness!

5. Be yourself!

Halfway through my list of inspiring Winnie the Pooh quotes is:

“The things that make me different are the things that make me.”

You should always be proud of who you are and the background you come from. Everyone is different and it’s these differences that make you a unique and likeable human-being. Whether you have a quirky sense of humour or funny sounding voice. There is always room on this planet for you to make your mark and stand-out from the crowd.

6. Keep it simple, silly!

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”

There’s too many people out there that think the only way to speak to a person is through flowery, long words. The truth is, most people prefer someone who can keep it simple and say what they mean. Rather than a person who is always dancing around the issue and using long words to hide their own insecurities.

7. People you love will always be with you!

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”

People come and people go and that’s the sad part of life. But if you hold onto the good memories you had with them, you’ll never feel sad about the way life turns out. True friendships or relationships will live forever and with bad ones…well you’ll just have to hope that they fade.

8. The true meaning of dreams?

“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart so long. If we’re in each other’s dreams we can be together all the time.”

I always wondered why I dream about some people and not others. I think this Winnie the Pooh quote has it spot on. If you keep dreaming about a particular someone, it could be because you miss them. If a person you know is somewhere faraway, dreaming about them can mean you’re always together. This is also a pretty cute quote to use on Valentine’s Day card or for Mother’s Day.

9. Never judge anyone!

“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”

Never make assumptions about a person before you get to know them. You never know their background or how they can help you in the future. A person may seem a little nervous or like a weed at first, but as they develop they may become the “bestest” friend you ever known. As a general rule of thumb just be friendly to everyone you meet. After all, it’s better to build bridges than walls!

10. Some people just need time.

Last, but not least of my list of Winnie the Pooh quotes is:

“If the person you are talking to does not appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in this ear.”

There’s nothing more frustrating than a person who seems disinterested or is difficult to get to know. But this doesn’t mean you should just give up on that person. There’s different ways of getting them to pay attention. The best way is to find out their interests and go from there. Or it may be the case, that they actually do have some fluff in their ear. In which case you could try some written communication.

Evenings

By Madisyn Taylor

Evenings can be a wonderful time to reconnect with loved ones over dinner and share in gratitude for your day.

From the beginning of time, a richly colored twinge of dusk touching the eastern horizon, the lengthening of shadows, and the appearance of the evening's first star have let us know that it was time to rest, relax, and retire from the pressures of the day. For human beings and other living things that tend to be most active in daylight, evenings can be less hectic and more relaxing, as we prepare for sleep and spend quality time with our loved ones. But evenings are about much more than dinner and the feel of a cool, soft pillow. Evenings are a wonderful time to catalog the events of the day without distraction, to revel in gentle solitude or silence, to end the day in serenity, and to commune with your inner self. 

There are many ways to turn the evening into a nurturing and soul enriching experience. A simple stroll through the realms of dusk and darkness can show you two different worlds: one winding down and one just coming to life. In the evening, the sounds we humans make begin to diminish, and the sounds of earth's more nocturnal creatures and nature itself become more apparent. As night slowly falls, scents change, and the smell of the soil and greenery become magnified. Sky gazing in the evenings can be a meditative activity – one that reminds us that we are only one part of an infinitely complex and vast universe. Each night, the different phases of the moon show us the passage of time and the waxing and waning of life, as its glowing visage – whether in the shape of a circle, crescent, or a smile –bathes the world in an ethereal, wistful glow. 

As crickets chirp and night birds cry out, evening rituals and routines can make your day feel complete, help you unwind from the day's busyness, and pave the way for rejuvenating sleep. Rituals and routines help you say goodnight to the present day, so you can look forward to the next one. While the sun sets, try doing a series of stretches, lighting some candles, or watching the daylight fade. The soothing, natural beauty of each evening can be your backdrop, as you meditate, quiet your soul, and relax into the peace and stillness that can be found at day's end. 

Life Is An Illusion

By MADISYN TAYLOR

Having the wisdom to know that life is but a dream does not mean that we ignore living.

As children, most of us sang that mesmerizing, wistful lullaby that ends with the words, "Life is but a dream." This is a classic example of a deep, sophisticated truth hiding, like an underground stream, in an unlikely place. It winds its way through our minds like a riddle or a Zen koan, coming up when we least expect it and asking that we consider its meaning. Many gurus and philosophers agree with this mysterious observation, saying that this world we perceive as real is actually an illusion, not unlike a film being projected on a screen. Most of us are so involved in the projection that we don't understand it for what it is. We are completely caught up in the illusion, imagining that we are in a life and death struggle and taking it very seriously. 

The enlightened few, on the other hand, live their lives in the light of the awareness that what most of us perceive as reality is a passing fancy. As a result, they behave with detachment, compassion, and wisdom, while the rest of us struggle and writhe upon the stage in the play of our life. Having the wisdom to know that life is but a dream does not mean that we ignore it or don't do our best with the twists and turns of our fate. Rather, like an actress who plays her role fully even as she knows it's only a role, we engage in the unfolding drama, but with a little more freedom because we know that this is not the totality of who we are. 

And life is more of an improvisation than it is like a play whose lines have already been written, whose end is already known. Like an improviser, we have choices to make and the more we embrace the illusionary quality of the performance, the lighter we can be on the planet, on others, and on ourselves. We can truly play with the shadows cast by the light of the projector, fully engaging without getting bogged down.