A Mindfulness Meditation; Week 5

For this last week, spend it observing what you consume. Does what you consume preserve peace, well-being, and joy? When you have an urge for a little dose of poison, see what motivates your impulse. Notice your addictions (or compulsive habits) and observe what beliefs they satisfy. Habits are of course habit-forming, so note those you'd like to foster and those you'd like to leave behind.

RIP Amy Winehouse

I was in the hospital when I heard that Amy had passed from this life. It surprised me a little that I cried. She had so much talent, so much beauty, but she couldn't escape her demons. So troubled at such a young age, its such a shame. I cried for the battle lost, the fragile woman lost. In one of my journals from several years ago I predicted she would be the next to join the 27 club. I wish I'd been wrong. May your spirit live on in peace Amy.

It seems to me that love is the most important thing in the world. It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.

Herman Hesse

A Mindfulness MEditation; Week 4

Devote this week to deep listening and loving speech. Listening, see if you can completely give yourself over, without preconception or judgement. Listen with an open mind and an open heart. Speaking, listen to yourself. Do you see and mean each word? Note how often you make frivolous, cynical and negative comments. And how often do you speak of things which you don't really know about firsthand?

Grilled Eggplant Lasagne

This looks delicious, I'm dying to try it! Hopefully will have time to make it today or tomorrow!

For the Tofu Ricotta:
1 lb. firm tofu, drained
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. parsley
3/4 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, minced

For the Sauce:
2 lbs. Roma tomatoes
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tsp. sugar

To Assemble:
9 lasagne noodles
2 medium eggplants
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tofu Ricotta:
•Place the tofu in a large mixing bowl and mash until the entire block is in medium-sized chunks.
•Add the remaining ingredients and stir until just combined.
For the Sauce:

•Toss the whole tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a heated grill for about 4 minutes, or until the skins begin to blacken.
•Remove from the heat and, when cool enough to the touch, peel off the skins and scoop the seeds and pulp out of the center.
•Add the tomatoes to a food processor and blend until smooth, adding sugar and additional salt and pepper to taste.
To Assemble:

•Preheat the oven to 350°F.
•Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the lasagne noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
•Cut the eggplants into 1/2-inch slices.
•Brush both sides of each slice liberally with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
•Cook the slices on a grill over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
•In a casserole dish, layer about 1/2 cup of sauce, 3 noodles, 1/2 the eggplant slices, more sauce, and 1/2 cup of tofu ricotta. Repeat until all ingredients are layered.
•Bake for about 30 minutes.

The Heart of Life

A Mindfulness Meditation; Week 3

Last week was devoted to noticing the material things in life and appreciating the non-material aspects of it. I decluttered my room, trying to make everything as simple as possible, keeping the essentials and donating or recycling the extra clutter that only serves to complicate life and mind. I spent more time with nature, went out of my way to show kindness to those I encountered, and made sure to be generous with my smiles. I learned to value and appreciate the non-material aspects of my life.

During week three, notice how often sex arises in your conciousness. Each time ask yourself what it's associated with. Power? Loneliness? Compassion? Stress? Self-esteem? Pressure? Pleasure? Nature? You might be surprised. You can extend this into an addition time of observing your sensuality, sensing your senses, and seeing what pulls you in. Even more time could be devoted to relationships. Do you view others as objects? Where do you withhold? Where do you yield? Where do you respond as an equal?

Falling Away From Me

How do things fall apart so quickly?
Struggling. Trying to take things a moment at a time. Feeling totally overwhelmed. Wishing I could just disappear forever.
Please send some positive energy my way if you think of it. Could use some support right now.

Blessing

I found this little prayer online the other day. In our day of eating disorders and soul hunger, this simple, profound blessing helps to put food and eating into a healed perspective. May it bring you to mindfulness with every bite of food you eat.


Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space
combine to make this food.
Numberless beings gave their lives
and labors that we may eat.
May we be nourished
that we may nourish life.

For Christina

Ooookkkk. Who sucks at blogging? That would be me. Things have been so hectic lately and I just haven't gotten around to getting online much. HOWEVER, my amazing friend Christina has been on my case to keep posting, sssoooo here it is! This one's for you, girl!

I had 3 and a half hours of class tonight. The material is basic, the prof is good, but there is just so much damn homework! It's easy, but time consuming. Just a tad tedious and I can't help but feel that the textbook is about the same as the one I had in 7th grade....Oh well. I welcome the easy A.

Talked to the boy for 2 amazing hours tonight. Can't wait to see him tomorrow. The boy + the bestie + random assortment of other amazing friends + music + the movies + mary jane + food + stargazing = a perfect, perfect day.
Up early tomorrow to clean and get started on my homework then off for coffee and music with Mags, chillin with the bestie, then meeting up with the gang. Headed to bed now. Going to try a short meditation first. At night, it's said to bring pleasant dreams and peaceful sleep. That's exactly what I need tonight. Starting to feel a little bit drained emotionally.

Wishing peaceful, pleasant dreams to all. Close your eyes, give yourself encouragement. Reflect on what you've learned throughout the day. Let sleep carry you on it's wings to the amazing worlds of your imagination. Open your eyes in the morning with the knowledge that it is a new day and you have the power to make life worth living. Blessings.

A Mindfulness Meditation; Week 2

Last week I tried to focus on having reverence for nature and all sentient beings. Some days went better than others, but because of an awareness of my successes and failures, I feel it was a worthwhile learning experience. I spoke hurtful words to someone in anger. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. I left trash in the field because it was dark and we were too lazy to get a flashlight and find everything. We must be the change we wish to see in the world. I found a giant bug in the garage and instead of squashing it, moved it outside. Every living thing has inherent buddha nature. I sent my sister a letter and a little care package to encourage her through this mess she has to deal with. Everyone suffers. We can do our part to decrease the pain of others. I watered, fed, and nurtured my little seedlings. They're growing quite nicely and remind me of the beauty and power of mother earth.

This week, observe the material things in your daily life. How do you handle objects that cross your path - yours and others? Do you recycle? Do you waste water in the shower? Are you energy efficient? Are you tempted by what's not yours? Try to practice random acts of spontaneous kindness. Act upon your friendly, benevolent impulses. At the end of the week, measure your wealth in non material terms. How many sunsets or dawns did you watch? How many times did you appreciate nature? Did you smile enough?

The plan to increase my daily meditation time didn't exactly happen. We'll give it another go this week. Small steps, small steps.

Pictures as promised! Here is the latest addition to the altar.

I love the green that's laced throughout.

Beautiful detail.

HAPPY 4TH!!

Besties!

Spent last night having adventures and making memories with my best friend in the whole fucking world! Easily the best night of this summer so far. Wish I had remembered to bring my camera. Due to spending a good portion of the evening with our lovely friend Mary Jane, I remember the night more as a dream-like sequence - a picnic at the lake, killer ducks, sitting in the field on our way to Olive Garden, soup salad & breadsticks, cigarettes, fireworks, Turkey Hill slushies, laying on the hay bales in the field on my grateful dead blanket looking at the stars, singing show tunes and contemplating life. Couldn't ask for a better friend. Love you Austin.