Beauty Everywhere

Against the Storm by Jude McConkey

It's been a tough winter for most of the country this year.

When it gets to be this time of the season, where many people's attitudes have hardened and soured even deeper then usual, its important become even more aware of ourselves.  When you feel yourself wading into that pool of  funk, try and step back... realize what you're doing, and adjust your perspective so it doesn't bleed over onto other people's lives and environment.

Try being nice...or, just be quiet.

The following passage is taken from the book "The Tao of Joy Everyday" by Derek Lin

Wise words ~

Beauty Everywhere

One powerful effect of Tao cultivation is that, more and more, you are able to look at everything through the eyes of the Tao.  When this happens, you will suddenly see much more that is good, and present everywhere you look.

Those who have experienced this know that it can be an overwhelming in a positive way.  It is not about thinks like the sunset or a rainbow that are already considered beautiful by everyone.  It is about tremendous beauty in the most commonplace and ordinary places.  Look at the crinkle of someone's smiling eyes.  Look at the fascinating patterns in the clouds.  Look at the symmetrical design in a leaf.  There is so much beauty in existence that no human mind can possibly contain it all.

There is something behind all this.  We can never see it, but if we close our eyes, we can sense its presence.  We can never hear it, but if we remain quiet, its whispers will resonate silently.  It is telling us without words that everything is exactly as it should be, and the beauty we see is the reflection of the beauty within all of us.

Look for goodness and beauty and you will find them.  Negative feelings like anger and resentment will recede.  When you are immersed in all that is good and beautiful, you cannot feel angry or resentful.  There will be no room in your heart for such feelings, for it will be filled to the brim with joy and gratitude.

The stunning photograph "Against the Storm" is by photographer Jude McConkey

It is available through her shop on Etsy.

Derek Lin's "The Tao of Joy Every Day" is available through Amazon.

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Silence on the Spiritual Path

There is no denying, it has been a long and difficult winter for many of us this year.  

As with anything else in life however, we do have a choice how

we handle it. 

Try to embrace the natural quiet and silence that winter brings into our 
lives instead of becoming frustrated.

As pointed out through the words from Taoist author Deng Ming - Dao,

silence is actually a very 
important aspect to our spiritual development.  

As one progresses on the path, one seeks silence more and more.

It will be a great comfort, a tremendous source of solace and peace.

Once you find deep solitude and calm, there will be a great gladness in your heart.

Here finally is the place where you need neither defense or offense - 

the place where you can truly be open.

There will be bliss, wonder, the awe of attaining something pure and sacred.

After that, you will feel adoration of silence.

this is the peace that seems to elude so many.

This is the beauty of the Tao.

"Snowy Crossing" courtesy of Jude McConkey Photography.  

Prints available through her shop on Etsy.

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Winter's Stillness

We cherish the winter's stillness and quiet times,

the creative darkness, accessing

our inner dreams, messages and visions.

A time and place of going within and dreaming,

a new day and a new cycle which is then 

birthed in the east for Spring.

take from NJ Holistic Magazine, Winter 2011

Snow and Lace photograph courtesy of Jude McConkey Photography, and available through her

shop on Etsy.

You can also read our Artist Interview with Jude here.

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Winter's Song

Silence surrounds. The shadows of trees fall across the snow, hands that 
neither beckon nor abandon, but allow communion, embracing heart and 
soul with Winter’s spirit.
 
My prayers float away from me on this chill air. On these moon-filled 
icy nights there is no concealment. Whispers roar like waves on the 
ocean, and the mind opens into a vast landscape for night’s secrets.
 
I drink in this spell. Like honey on the tongue, the cold is coaxing. I 
lean back and feel the breath of angels on my face.
 
I do not imagine sunflowers or conjure June skies. I do not escape into 
wanderings through Summer’s bright images. Winter has its place in my 
heart, brings me a centering stillness I could not live without.
 
I do what I did when I was a child; wrap myself up in wool, make a quiet 
trail into the trees, and greet the moon who watches our dreams like a 
grandmother. I sit until I can’t anymore, until I begin to notice the 
cold. Usually, my teeth don’t chatter, my fingers don’t turn numb, as I 
feel peace.
 
In such cold, tears freeze before they form and fears melt away. As my 
heart calls out, for wars, poverty, for the inhuman acts mankind has 
birthed out of someplace I cannot even imagine, a song reaches into me 
that soothes and guides, calms, and brings peace.
 
It is a song that Nature sings, a gift from the Earth for when we need 
to hear, need to believe and find faith. It speaks strongly, and I have 
become the stark stillness of Winter, and I become the knowing. The 
truth lies in the silver snow of night, that all will be okay, all will 
be okay.
 

 ~ nellie levine 

 "The Rabbit House" is by photographer Jude McConkey and is available through her Etsy Shop.
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The Magic of January Snow

         "The universe, silence, a world stretching into all eternity
          They came here from far away- hundreds and thousands of clumps of ice- 
          moving through outer space.  After a long journey through the expanse
          between plants and stars, the grand journey is about to come to an end."

                                                                      ~ masaru emoto
                                                                         The Secret Life of Water

Edgemont Park, Montclair NJ  1-7-11

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Finishing Up The Calendar Year

I was watching the snow fall the other day and thinking what a beautiful way to finish up the calendar year.
Just watching the quiet...before the snow changes to rain or the kids come out and tromp it all down attempting to make snowmen (which is nice in a whole other way).

In the practice of qigong, this is referred to as retreating into the energy of the North. Quiet, a rest time when we hibernate our thoughts and ideas. Turning our mental and energetic kettle on low, letting the flavors settle and rest together before developing into the new and bright energy of the Spring (East).

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Take advantage of it for what is is, not what you would like it to be. Remain in the moment, let yourself settle in and gently rework your plans and ideas. Allow yourself some quiet time, give your body permission to rest and take a breath before you charge forward into your next adventure.

Have a good new year.
From all of us at the Mind Body Spirit Marketplace, we wish you well! 

~ diane fergurson

"Colorado Winter Flower Photo:  Rose Sparkle" is by Colorado photographer Julie Magers Soulen and available in her Etsy Shop.

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You may also enjoy:
Winter Solstice 2010:  A time for Light Release and Transformation 
Slow down We Move Too Fast.  A Prelude to the Holidays

Ending the Calendar Year

I'm watching the snow fall this morning and thinking what a beautiful way it is to finish up the calendar year. Just watching the quiet...before it changes over to rain or the kids come out and tromp it all down attempting to make Snowmen (which is great in a whole other way).

In the practice of qigong, this is referred to as retreating into the energy of the North. Quiet, a rest time when we hibernate our thoughts and ideas... Turning our mental and energetic kettle on low, letting the flavors settle and rest together before developing into the new and bright energy of the Spring (East).

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Take advantage of it for what is is, not what you would like it to be. Remain in the moment, let yourself settle in and gently rework your plans and ideas. Allow yourself some quiet time, give your body permission to rest and take a breath before you charge forward into your next adventure.

Have a good new year...The Mind Body Spirit Marketplace wishes you well!

*photo copyright Diane Fergurson. It was taken a few winters ago in a park in New Jersey. Yes, bet you didn't think Jersey could be so stunning in the snow!

Related Posts:
Qigong:  An Interview with Joanne Kornoelje