INTEGRAL SPIRITUALITY

I'VE BORROWED THIS QUOTE FROM A SERMON TODAY BY MARK SCHINDLER, MINISTER OF UNITY CHURCH IN AUBURN. IF YOU'D LIKE TO READ MORE ABOUT MARK, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE AT WWW.UNITYOFAUBURN.COM TODAY, HE SPOKE OF INTEGRAL SPIRITUALITY BY KEN WILBER.

"It's astonishing that I can deny I. That I can take parts of my self, my I-ness, and push them on the other side of the self-boundary, attempting to deny ownership of those aspects of my self that are perhaps too negative...to accept. Yet pushing them away does not actually get rid of them, but simply converts them into painful neurotic symptoms, shadows of a disowned self come back to haunt me...those things in the world that most disturb and upset me about others are actually my own shadow qualities, which are now perceived as out there." Ken Wilber---Integral Spirituality

I thought this sermon today at my "less-than-traditional-church" was so apropos for Halloween with the phrase "come back to haunt me". It reminds me that I need to figure out what it is about me that I might need to work on so that, as Ken Wilber says: "If we stay awake, we can use these experiences to reclaim lost parts of our self. If we are not awake, then we simply propagate suffering in our life and in our world." (page 90)

In the last month we have seen so much anger and frustration with Wall Street and people protesting against what they feel are injustices. The "one percent" are rising up and taking a stand for what they believe in. Ken Wilber says on page 94 that "when [we] are willing to accept our feelings of deficiency with compassion, we will eventually discover that what we truly seek is always within our self. Everything that we truly need, we already are." Involution. "The teachings of ancient wisdom tell us that who we really are exists in a realm beyond time and space." (page 95).

HEARTS WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT THEM

I snapped this photo while up in Nevada City last weekend because I found the clothing that these two people were wearing to be quite unique. In Nevada City you are liable to see anything in terms of clothing. It is a great place to people watch.

But, as it turns out, I captured much more than I thought I was with my camera that day. There is that incredible glowing orb right there in that young woman's hands and then to her right, on the back of the young man's head is a heart. You can click on the image to see it larger.

It just goes to show you that you can't always judge a book by it's cover. People are so creative and full of life, spirit, and love. These two prove my point exactly! Here's hoping that you capture something special and unexpected too. There are no obstacles, only opportunities. Enjoy your weekend.

SHARING...

...IMAGES FROM MY NEW FAVORITE STORE IN NEVADA CITY AND A THOUGHT.

JANAH CAMPBELL HAS THIS GREAT STORE LOCATED AT:

320 BROAD STREET---NEVADA CITY, CALIF.

IT IS CALLED "SPIRITHOUSE IMPORTS"

TRULY, ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT.

SHE TRAVELS ABROAD AND PURCHASES THE WORK THAT SHE DISPLAYS IN HER STORE.

(HERE'S SOMETHING I HEARD ON SUNDAY):

"To every man this is taught: Thou art one with this universal being, and, as such, every soul that exists is your soul, and every body that exists is your body...For I am the universe, This universe is my body" Swami Vivekananda

LIFE'S SECRETS

LIFE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP DREAMING.

HOPE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP BELIEVING.

LOVE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP CARING.

AND FRIENDSHIP ENDS WHEN YOU STOP SHARING.

This was sent to me by my friend Nancy today and I thought that it was such a wonderful sentiment. And what better photo than that of my my granddaughter Mae who I hope will always remember to dream, to believe, to care, and to share. She makes me aware of all of these things every day. I am blessed to have her in my life, as well as the rest of my family and friends.

SATURDAY IN NEVADA CITY

Saturday afternoon the weather was so glorious that it just couldn't be wasted sitting inside cleaning or even doing yard work. Saturday was an exploration day to Nevada City with my daughters and granddaughters. It was a glorious, warm day filled with the spirit of the season. Every window was decorated for Halloween and we had a great time checking them all out as we walked along the streets.You can see by the photo below that the colors are just beginning to start to change here in the Foothills. I have read many blogs where the color has already come and gone, being washed off the trees by wind and rain in many locations. Not so here. And it made for a wonderful day.

There isn't anything like being with people that you love. I have to admit that I was licking my wounds on Saturday so it felt nice to be bathed in the warm sunlight and the glow of love from my girls...all four of them! LOVE IS ALL THERE IS. And that's all each of us needs.

TODAY

I WALK ORGANIC SHAPED PATHS

IRREGULAR UNDER FOOT

BORDERED BY GRASS

BY RIVER ROCK

BY CYCLONE FENCE.

ONOMATOPOEIC SOUNDS FORM IN MY HEAD.

THOUGHTS OF MAE

(WIND AND FLOWER)

COME TO ME

WHILE I STROLL WITH PURPOSE.

ONE IS HERE

THE OTHER IS NOT.

THE DEMOISELLE DEPOSITS

PUPA ON TWIG OR LEAF

TILL HIS WINGS ARE SPREAD.

EMERGES COMPLETE INSECT.

I PASS STRANGERS,

SOME WITH DOGS

SOME WITH PARTNERS.

SOME LOOK UP

SAY HELLO

OR GOOD MORNING (AFTERNOON)

SOME WALK QUIETLY PAST

WISHING NOT TO BE NOTICED.

I WALK QUIETLY

THINKING, CONTEMPLATING.

JUXTAPOSITION EXISTS.

THE MEMORIES,

THE ACHE OF LONELINESS

FELT.

BRIGHT LIGHT

ONLY SHINES

WHEN DARKNESS

IS ACCEPTED.

TODAY

I CHOOSE

A DIFFERENT

PATH.

Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Falling German satellite greater threat than UARS

Spaceflight Now | Breaking News | Falling German satellite greater threat than UARS

Is anyone wondering where or when the ROSAT will land? I listen to news reports and check links about it but it seems that there really isn't much information regarding where or exactly when it will land. Is this by design or is it that they just don't know? I think with all the scientific instruments and data that are available we should know more about it than we do. All I can find out is that it will be around October 22 or 23 and that I have a 1 in 2,000 chance of being hit.

Contrex - Ma Contrexpérience - 97s

If you're like me these days, exercise is not easy to come by when it is filled with other daily duties. But, maybe, just maybe I could be motivated by something like this!

Received this from a friend today. Thought I would share. Enjoy your Wednesday and get out there and burn some calories...however you have to do it!

HALLOWEEN???

Here's a photo of a skeleton for Halloween. It belongs to Bill! This is a photo of the X-ray they took of the implant in his finger. Do you see it there in the middle? I'm living with a Bionic Man. It is a pyrocarbon implant. Does it look a little scary? It does to me!

He is doing fine though. Attending PT twice a week now and gaining lots of motion in his hand. He still has to use the braces during the day and while sleeping though until he has full motion and the OK to use his hand by the doctor.

It makes life a little bit more hectic around here than normal. Watching baby Mae is not as easy for me as it could be if he was able to hold her more, feed her and change those diapers! (Is this part of your plan Mr. Bill?) But, seriously, he is doing really well and does many things one-handed. Before we know it he will be back to normal (as normal as a Bionic Man can be, that is) and I will have him hauling gravel in the yard and weed-eating.

I got my daughter Kimberly here to help me wheel barrow loads of gravel yesterday. I hope I didn't make her body too stiff for the rest of the week. But it was nice having her help. I told her that I was sorry for her that I am OCD because I can't just do "part" of the job. Once I start I have to finish. There is no "waiting until tomorrow to finish the rest" in my vocabulary. I am a determined person with a goal in mind always. And my goal yesterday was to create two new walk-ways with the gravel. Mission accomplished.

And then we went to Oktoberfest in town and celebrated with food, drink, music and a bon-fire. It was a nice way to end a day of hard work. Thanks for the help Girlie! I really appreciated it. And you know me: it takes a lot for me to ask for help. But, I am learning to and appreciating the help that I receive. I am open to unlimited goodness!

FRIDAY RESTROSPECTIVE

"I BELIEVE THAT A SIMPLE AND UNASSUMING MANNER OF LIFE IS BEST FOR EVERYONE, BEST BOTH FOR THE BODY AND THE MIND."

Albert Einstein

THE POETRY OF DOORS

"AS TO THE PURE MIND ALL THINGS ARE PURE, SO TO THE POETIC MIND ALL THINGS ARE POETICAL."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Doors are entrances, welcoming us in. They point the way to our hearts, to what's inside. Yet, they can also be barriers, keeping us at bay, not allowing us to see what really lurks beyond. To me doors are a metaphor for our lives. Don't just paint your door a wonderful color and not open it. Keep the door always swinging to and fro'; in and out. Open your heart and open your door. There is no telling what you might find if you leave it ajar and unlocked.

THE ANTIQUE GARDENER

I LOVE THE VIGNETTES THAT I FOUND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THIS STORE. IT, TOO, WAS IN SUTTER CREEK AND I WAS INSPIRED BY LOTS OF THINGS I FOUND HERE. DARN IF I DIDN'T LEAVE MY OLD WOOD COOK STOVE AT THE OLD HOUSE!! I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO JUST HAVE PLACED IT IN THE YARD SOMEPLACE AND LET IT RUST, REPLETE WITH MANY OF THE PLANTS AND IMPLEMENTS THAT "THE ANTIQUE GARDENER" HAS DISPLAYED. THANKS FOR THE INSPIRATION.

BY THE WAY: THE ANTIQUE GARDENER HAS A BLOG THAT YOU CAN FOLLOW AT: TheAntiqueGardener.blogspot.com THEY ARE LOCATED AT 80 MAIN STREET, SUTTER CREEK, CA. 95685 209.267.5551

SUTTER CREEK TOUR

Around the corner from the faces I found this General Store Museum. It wasn't open but I managed to take a few photos from the outside.

Most of these items are things that I wouldn't mind owning for my own collections. In fact, I have some of them already. Why is it that things from another era are so appealing visually? Is it that they remind us of something we used to know or is it that they remind us of something we no longer have? Things seemed somewhat simpler in those days although I'm sure when something new came on the market then (as now) people were clamoring to attain it.

Life is a funny thing: if we look back at the way things were, sometimes they seemed more simple but in reality, I would imagine things were much more complicated and labor-intensive. In this day and age we have all the things available to us to make our lives much more simple yet in some ways things seem much more complicated. I guess the key is to enjoy what you have in the moment and take the time to appreciate them. It's not always easy to do that.

SUTTER CREEK FACES

Last weekend I drove B to meet some of his ham radio friends. Most of them know each other by their call signs and I suppose, by the way that their voices sound. So, it was an opportunity to meet some of them face-to-face last Saturday at a small town called West Point where they held their annual Lumber Jack Days. You might remember I went there last year with my daughter April who was pregnant with Mae at the time and a friend from work named Rene. I never thought that I would go back again because, frankly, once seemed quite enough for me. But B wanted to meet his radio friends, especially an 83 year old man and his wife who drove all the way from Washington state for the day.

Not wanting to stay for the parade and all the crowds, I opted to drive back to Sutter Creek and do some looking around. And also a bit of shopping. I found some really great stuff to photograph there and I will try and post most of it a bit at a time this week. Watching the baby each day doesn't leave me much free time in the evening but I don't want to miss an opportunity to enjoy my creative time each day either. Like my son-in-law said today: "It can only get better the older she gets." How true!!

These heads were just sitting on the corner in a flower bed. There wasn't a sign saying who had made them or when but I found them interesting. So many great things to see and photograph around every corner. I suppose that is probably true for any town you actually get out and walk around. Most of us don't take the time to do that. We just drive, shop, and go home. I hope you enjoy seeing Sutter Creek through my eyes (and lens) in the next couple of days. Enjoy!