Momentary Lapse of Reason

Update Part 2: Live Like Your're on Vacation

2011-11-21T09:28:00.001-08:00

Ever feel like the internet allows you to check out of life?I think we can all agree… YES. But I don’t think that’s necessarily a badthing, in moderation. Either way I’ve always struggled with the idea that thisblog might be contributing to this issue. I mean, the internet on a whole stilltrips me out on a daily basis. A blog is like a public journal in some ways.Bizarre. And even though I LOVE how sharing stories allows us to see that we’reall going through the same thing at different times, anything that takes you outof the “here and now” of your own life is questionable.

But whenever I would start rejecting my little love child,momentary lapse of reason, I would get a letter from a reader sharing howcoming to this space has contributed to their life. Because of this blog therehave been people I’ve never met donating to projects I’m passionate about. Thoseexchanges have meant SO much to me and they continue to show me the powerbehind this connection platform called the internet. Plus, they just added analytics to blogger and I was blown away by how many of you stop by every month. I didn't want to abandon all my new friends!

SOOOO I’vefound a solution. www.livelikeyoureonvacation.org

Besides healing, THIS is where I’ve been hiding the pastcouple months. It’s my new love child and it feels wonderful!
Here’s my Live Like You’re On Vacation intro:

It all started when I went for a sunset surf after work with some friends. I had just finished a “long, hard” day of work, one of those days when I could have easily talked myself out of doing anything because I had already done “enough”. It’s amazing how we can talk ourselves out of the things we love the most, right? The sun was setting, the water was still, and my friends were smiling from the inside. I spanned the coast from the ferris wheel in Santa Monica to the Venice pier. “Sometimes when I’m home I feel like I’m on vacation”, I thought to myself. The “long, hard” day had disappeared.

“I HAVE A NEW MANTRA!!!!!” I yelled, disturbing the silence like a crazy hippie. The boys smirked at my ridiculousness, but couldn’t wait to hear what I’d come up with this time.
*LIVE LIKE YOU’RE ON VACATION*
All it takes is a shift in perspective. It’s not always easy; it’s a practice. Kayla is great at reminding me of the little things that can turn my day around or that I’m going crazy and need to get out of town. Sometimes all it takes is a reminder (unless you’re in a real rut ) and that’s what this space is for…. For all of us to remind each other that whether we’re stuck at a desk, just trying to pay the bills or stuck in the mud in Costa Rica there is always something new to see. I’m honored and SUPER excited to share this journey with you all.
LLYOV,
Tawney

...........Go take a look. You'll get what it's all about and my hope is that you'll leave LLYOV.org with more than you ever got out of this blog. I hope that you contribute stories, share it with you friends, and it makes you smile. Kayla and I started this from scratch and have no idea what we're doing :) We just launched and I couldn't wait to share it with all of you. Even though I didn't even know most of you were out there I feel like your insight and contributions could be the foundation for our project. Please take it and run with it, it's yours.

LLYOV
Tawney

update part 1

2011-11-18T12:09:00.001-08:00

It’s been a life filled two months. That’s my way of sayingit’s been challenging, emotionally draining, and at times just straight up notfun. Well, I’m just being honest. I’m human. Wooo hooo. I’m actually working onbeing a little more emotional. Emotional sounds so negative so I made up a newword- emotionfull. I had someone point out during a healing session for caraccident residual that I was crying and smiling at the same time. Luckily I’mpretty confident that the reasoning behind the smile is the knowing that simply– it’s all good. Then I hear my friend Jon’s voice in my head “don’t go out inthe sun and pretend like you didn’t just get sunburned”. So, even though I knowit’s all good I’m taking responsibility for numbing myself of pain and heartacheonce in awhile. It’s tough to find that perfect balance between choosing rainand also knowing the storm will pass.

I feel like it’s rainbow time now. There are still lightshowers, but I can take a deep breath of fresh air and feel gratitude. The cloudsall rolled in at once.

A few months ago I started getting anxiety in the car. Itwasn’t extreme, but being someone who uses yoga and breathing to control hernervous system this feeling of not being in control really caught me off guard.A few days after that I had a pretty heated conversation with someone (whichdoesn’t happen often) and it fired up my nerves in my face that were damaged inthe accident and they literally ached for a day. I was really checking in withthe mind body connection and how we hold on to memories and experiences. Thelatest need for healing is in surfing. I had to get out of the water on twodifferent occasions because I was feeling so uncomfortable and not safe. I think it’s about the same issue ofneeding to feel control paired with the freak unfortunate set when you have totake a deep breath and take it to the face. That was my least favorite thingabout surfing even before the accident. My face is done “taking it”. But it’ssurfing, it’s my favorite thing in the world. It’s incredibly healing. It’s theperfect balance of grounding and freeing. Not being able to find that in myselfwas heartbreaking. *fall to myknees with fists in the air and emotionfull* “WHY?!?!”

“Why?” why do we always ask ourselves these questions thatdon’t have answers? Or do they have a million answers!?! When I feel the needto fall to my knees and ask “Why?” a little angle isn’t going to land on myshoulder and say “Well, you got in this accident because _____ and your feelingthis now because _____.” Those ideas are for me to play with. I say play withbecause it’s silly to attach myself to some reasoning that will bring temporaryrelief. It’s not about figuring out the whys? It’s like that quote we’ve heard so many times. “It’s aboutthe journey not the destination.”

Alas another year of healing. 2010 was all about healingtoo. I embrace it; it’s made me feel more human. I think 99% of the time thereis something that needs healing within us and it’s easy to ignore. But I can’treally ignore it if my body is aching because of it. Reminds me of thebeginning of last year when I was trying to figure out what was wrong in myrelationship before my boyfriend at the time told me he had been unfaithful.There was a week of knowing something was wrong, but I was ignoring myintuition and looking in all the wrong directions. I got multiple styes in botheyes. My body was showing me that I wasn’t seeing things clearly. I trulybelieve that. I never had syes before and I haven’t had them since.

Ever since then I’m fully aware when I’m ignoring myintuition. They don’t call it a gut instinct for no reason. We can actuallyfeel these things in our body. Sure, it still happens, but it feels so muchmore empowering to trust and acknowledge what makes my stomach turn instead ofpushing it down.
I’m continuing to observe this mind body connection daily. I’ve witnessed howit’s impacted so many different aspects of my life. It’s caused me to do a lotof looking inward, which in turn has allowed me shine out (finally! It tooksome time) I’ve let love in and let love go. I’ve started new adventures andreminisced on the ones I’ve already been on. I’ve done a lot of forgiving.

The Universe said this morning tawney,each challenge adds to the suspense, adds to the mystery, adds to the chaos,adds to the possibilities, adds to the romance, adds to the adventure, adds tothe joy.

And I say anything that adds to the joy should be embraced.

It’s all good.

oh my goodness oh my goodness

2011-10-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been so long! I've been the worst, but I promise it's because big things are coming. Things that involve more reading material, more fun, and more living like your on vacation and I need to to be a part of it so hang tight :)

might be a corny photoshop quote

2011-10-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

but it rings true

2011-10-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

This woman is a goddess! Her kind heart is equal to her talent. whoa

Can't get enough of this song

2011-10-06T09:52:00.001-07:00

funny.

this can't be real

2011-10-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

amazing back massage
epson salt bath
chocolate while in the epson salt bath
pizza and salad for dinner

this can't be real.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

2011-09-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

herbs and milk

2011-09-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

apologizing

2011-09-27T15:12:00.001-07:00

my dream house is cheap

2011-09-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

sweet

http://ciracar.com/build-a-house-for-less-than-5000/

2011-09-22T12:33:00.001-07:00

Burning Man

2011-09-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

It was my first time using film in awhile. I got gifted a little leica C3 and can't wait to play with it more. Burning Man is such a photogenic place i kinda wish I had my digital, but it was nice to take a break.

I had the pleasure of going with a couple SUPER talented photographers. Here are some of James' gems.

photos by James Branaman

a few from others

I don't know who took this but it was one of my favorite moments. William a Venice neighbor and friend invented the Earth Harp which was built into the temple this year. This is a yummy sunset yoga sesh

farewell black rock city

time to wash my feet

this thought just crossed my mind...

2011-09-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

I'm going to take more photos.

Really? is that even possible?

I hope so

glamping

2011-09-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

I'm usually attracted to the adventurous or tropical travel, but right now I could go for a week of solid glamping. I just heard this term from To be in love with the world. Here's their visual example :)

yesterday was the first day I woke up with the sun, walked into the bathroom, and suffered through the cold tiles and toilet seat. I just never want summer to end, ever.
With that said, I've never felt more ready to hibernate. Exhaustion has kicked in. I just want to pack blankets, tea, and a book and go somewhere where the air is crisp and I can stay in bed all day breathing in the mountains.

jumping through fire

2011-09-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

this is will a memorable addition to the jumping pictures

big thanks to the talented Henrik Christoffersson

what you put up with

2011-09-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

you end up with

mmmmm hmmmm

Bon Iver

2011-09-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got a text that said "Happy Holocene belated birthday, skinny love" aka I have a ticket to Bon Iver for you. It was almost unbelievable, seeing as the same thing happened with Fleet Foxes last week. These two bands have dominated my pandora the past year. I knew the show was going to be good, but jesus criminy they really hit a chord with me. What an incredibly talented group of young men! If you get the opportunity I HIGHLY recommend going to see them.
The Shrine is an amazing venue in hollywood, it really feels sacred. We had pit passes. It wasn't crowded so I just walked up to the bar that separates the stage and propped up my dropped jaw while they showered me with melodies. I thought my front row days were over, but the combination of the breathing room and the 9 piece orchestra allowed me to get lost. Somehow I ended up going with the most beautiful group of people only two of which I knew, the one who had the tickets, and sweet Sarah who I'd met a few times through old friends. It was a beautiful re-connection. We were all so grateful to experience what Paul referred to as the "soul massage" (the show) and it was amazing to witness the bands gratitude for being there. It was their biggest show ever. "bigger is not always better, but tonight... it is" the lead singer said. They kept catching each other's eyes then looking out into the large audience to take it all in.
Here's a few moments I captured in my desire to share it all.

RV in hollywood still decorated in playa dust

Penny Lane? :)

The Shrine

love will do the rest

2011-09-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

"Beginnings are never easy
So much is still unknown
So many desires seeking fulfillment
Collide with the patient trust that
Everything is as it should be
Love does not rush
No masterpiece ever does
You do not plant the seed of a rose in the morning
And ask it to blossom by the afternoon
Lust is the first one in
And the first one out
But love…
Love is cool, calm and collected
It plays tricks on you to keep you honest
Love is a patient comedian
Who helps you to get over the fearful ego
So you have the fearlessness to BE with yourself and another
I do not ask for easy beginnings
Because I know that the One meant for me will stick
With no effort on my behalf
There is no striving for love
There is no convincing love to stay
There is just you
Your fearlessness
And trust
Love will do the rest"

- Love Will Do the Rest by MASTIN KIPP

someone is out there to tell you what you want to hear

2011-09-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

Love, to me you are a most amazing woman
And there's a huge part of me that just wants to scoop you up and protect you. I know how strong and how capable you are, but when I hug you, I feel that I want to guard your body with mine, to fend off any threat, to be both a rock and guide for you to lean on.

....trust you'll find him

explorers

2011-09-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the most handsome man on the beach with the surfboard underneath his arm and salty sea dripping from his brow squatted down beside a little guy digging powerfully into the sand. "What do you want to do when you grow up?" he said to the castle builder..... "Explore." he replied.
Here's to the little explorers inside of us all

Sunday to Sunday

2011-09-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

This is a gathering of Lovers.
In this gathering
there is no high, no low,
no smart, no ignorant,
no special assembly,
no grand discourse,
no proper schooling required.
There is no master,
no disciple.
This gathering is more like a drunken party,
full of tricksters, fools,
mad men and mad women.
This is a gathering of Lovers.
-Rumi

Robin and Yogi

Topanga tomato party!

full moon sleep under

Sunday brunch in the canyon. These singers were happy to see us carrying on their traditions: hugging and swaying to the music, singing along to the classic tunes, body painting, celebrating life, sharing light, and being together. The woman gifted Agi, Robin, Rachelle, and I with her old jewelry. Special moment.

Monday: a very fitting tarot spread

Tuesday night in the heated reverse osmosis pool. yes please

my Virgos birthday week

Wednesday: Fleet Foxes

new song he wrote 2 weeks ago

Thursday ohana reunion! Just the BEST person to be around visiting from the island. Wonderful to share my little neighborhood and a fabulous sushi dinner. I love looking at Venice through other peoples eyes.

nice cream

Friday: Rachelle's birthday/shabbot dinner

a beautiful ceremony

we know how to do weekends

roommates

Saturday: the gathering of lovers. Until sunday sunrise

Sunday: a nap, some flute, and grading papers in the park

home

needless to say, I needed a coffee this morning

the longer you think the less you know what to do

2011-09-15T11:58:00.001-07:00

Oh, my talking bird
Though you know so few words
They're on infinite repeat
Like your brain can't keep up with your beak.

And you're kept in an open cage
So you're free to leave or stay.
Sometimes you get confused
Like there's a hint I am trying to give you.

The longer you think, the less you know what to do.

It's hard to see your way out
When you live in a house in a house
Cause you don't realize
That the windows were open the whole time.

Oh, my talking bird
Though your feathers are tattered and furled
I'll love you all your days
Till the breath leaves your delicate face.

It's all here for you as long as your choose to stay.
It's all here for you as long as you don't fly away.

fleet foxes

2011-09-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

tonight! stoked. love getting birthday presents a month after my birthday :)

I think my first memory of Fleet Foxes is this video of my friends Ryland and Sarah's wedding. falling into oneness mmmmm

support, chosen family, shoulders to lean on= essential

2011-09-12T11:16:00.001-07:00

The temple

2011-09-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Sweet Darkness

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.

The dark will be your womb
tonight.

The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.

You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

~ David Whyte ~

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

A tribute to Larry

2011-09-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

"We can all be angels to one another. We can choose to obey the
still small stirring within, the little whisper that says,
Go. Ask. Reach out. Be an answer to someone's plea.
You have a part to play. Have faith.'
We can decide to risk that the universe is indeed there, watching, caring, cherishing
us as we love and accept love. The world will be a better place for it.
And wherever they are, the angels will dance."
-Joan Wester Anderson

It's time for Larry to dance.
Anyone that's been reading my blog knows about my love for Larry, the most special person I've ever met. It was hard news. It IS hard news. I knew it would come at some point, he was 67 after all, but he seemed so timeless. I'm so so so grateful for the time I got to spend with Larry, especially the last time. The Inside Out Project let Larry's light shine to over 2,800 people in the 3 months before he passed. His happiness is contagious and he can't even use words to express it. He's a miracle.

http://dragonflyhigh.blogspot.com/2011/05/this-could-be-my-favorite-moment-of-my.html
http://dragonflyhigh.blogspot.com/2010/06/larry.html

it don't scare me

2011-09-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

From the playa to the playa

2011-08-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

SaNd to dust

mmmmmusic

2011-08-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

2011-08-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

millions of people have decided not to be sensitive. They have grown thick skins around themselves just to avoid being hurt by anybody. But it is at great cost. Nobody can hurt them, but nobody can make them happy either. - osho

2011-08-19T11:32:00.001-07:00

What is it about

2011-08-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

‎"What is it about the American obsession with productivity and responsibility that makes it so difficult for us to allow ourselves a little time to solve the puzzle of our own lives, before it’s too late?" -e. gilbert

I don't really know what "too late" means but man do I feel this

awesome things on a thursday morning

2011-08-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

1. 6:30am coffee dates at my favorite coffee shop. It's not just because they make pretty hearts inside my latte, but because the coffee is so good. I like it a latte.

2. This perfect dance between music, visual art, and life. This video depicts how I try to be in the world. I'm totally in love with it and intend on taking breaks to watch it many more times throughout the day :)

PS totally want to go to iceland. As soon as he came out of the grass mound house I got excited.

topanga daze

2011-08-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

brunch, music, rest, hike, dinner, music, rest, full moon, sleep, drive home. grateful

where children sleep

2011-08-16T11:09:00.001-07:00

http://www.jamesmollison.com/wherechildrensleep.php?project_id=6&p=14

endure sadness

2011-08-16T10:09:00.001-07:00

Perhaps we would endure our sadnesses with greater confidence than our joys. For they are moments when something new has entered into us, something unknown; our feelings grow mute in shy perplexity, everything in us withdraws, a stillness comes, and the new, which no one knows, stands in the midst of it and is silent.

I believe that almost all our sadnesses are moments of tension that we find paralyzing because we no longer hear our surprised feelings living. Because we are alone with this alien thing that has entered into our self; because everything intimate and accustomed is for an instant taken away; because we stand in the middle of a transition where we cannot remain standing.

For this reason the sadness too passes: the new thing in us. The added thing has entered into our heart, has gone into its inmost chamber and is not even there anymore, is already in our blood. And we do not learn what it was. We could easily be made to believe that nothing has happened, and yet we have changed, as a house changes into which a guest has entered.

We cannot say who has come, perhaps we shall never know, but many signs indicate the future enters us in this way in order to transform itself in us long before it happens. And this is why it is so important to be lonely and attentive when one is sad: because the apparently uneventful and stark moments at which our future sets foot in us is so much closer to life than that other noisy and fortuitous point of time at which it happens to us from the outside.

The more still, more patient and more open we are when we are sad, so much the deeper and so much the more unswervingly does the new go in us, so much the better do we make it ours, so much the more will it be our destiny, and when on some later day it ‘happens’ (that it steps forth out of us to others), we shall feel in our inmost selves akin and near to it. And that is necessary.
- Rainer Maria Rilke, from his wonderful Letters to a Young Poet

2011-08-16T10:00:00.001-07:00

Mexico birthday SURFari

2011-08-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

it's an Adele kinda day

2011-08-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

again

she's just spectacular

simplicity

2011-08-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

“Simplicity involves unburdening your life, and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life, as defined uniquely by each individual. You will find people living simply in large cities, rural areas and everything in between.”

2011-08-12T09:41:00.001-07:00

time out of time

2011-08-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Today I'm taking the day off. I never take the day off. I'm not even really taking the day off, but I'm not going into the office and it was hard to explain why. I just came across this...

it quickly became apparent that I need to take more time away from time.
I often convince myself that because I live by the beach, have a pretty stressless routine, and get to embark on great little getaways like Mexico that I'm taking time to relax. In reality I'm only taking enough time to relax in my relaxing routine, but if I have a stressful day then I combust. :) I'm combusting. So, I'm taking time away from time.

That video let me to this piece on taking responsibility. I was just trying to explain this theory to someone and apparently wasn't doing a great job. It was so good to hear this because of the emphasis Tommy puts on "MY" life. I'm up for working on taking responsibility for MY life, but that's all I can handle. It releases the weight of trying to take responsibility of someone else's experience. When you have two people taking responsibility and apologizing for FEELINGS exchanged instead of evidence then there is space to move forward. Until then, evidence is going to supply whatever your ego wants to see. Feel. Feel. Feel.

Tommy's teaching a yoga class today around the corner. Guess I should go check him take some time away from time.

life as a leo

2011-08-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I filled in a map of all the places I've been and it said I've only seen 3% of the world. 3%???? 3%?!?!?!?!? Man, there's plenty of places I haven't been, but I didn't think I was such a world virgin. I got a lot to do. Sometimes all I can think about it traveling.
I felt a little better when I woke up today to happy birthday's from all over the world. Well, it felt like they were from all over the world anyway. My favorite and most expansive happy birthday was from someone I didn't even know proving that you can acknowledge anyone for beautiful things whether you know them or not, no matter what you think they've "done to you"or how they've made you feel. We all have magnificent qualities floating around inside of us, sometimes if just takes someone in the this big ol' universe to acknowledge it.

Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu,
Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu,
Happy Birrrrthday Dear tawney,
Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu!

A few years back, not so long ago, heaven and earth erupted into a major celebration with the news of your impending adventure into this very time and space. You see, someone like tawney doesn't come along all that often. In fact, there's never been a single one like you, nor is there ever ANY possibility that another will come again. You're an Angel among us. Someone, whose eyes see what no others will EVER see, whose ears hear what no others will EVER hear, and whose perspective and feelings will NEVER, ever be duplicated. Without YOU, the Universe, and ALL THAT IS, would be sadly less than it is.

Quite simply:

You're the kind of person, tawney,
Who's hard to forget,
A one-in-a-million
To the people you've met.
Your friends are as varied
As the places you go,
And they all want to tell you
In case you don't know:
That you make a big difference
In the lives that you touch,
By taking so little
And giving so much!

tawney, you are so AWESOME! For your birthday, friends and angels from every corner of the Universe, including buddies you didn't know you had, will be with you to wish you the HAPPIEST of days and an exciting new year in time and space. You won't be alone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, tawney!

Mike Dooley
Orlando, Florida, USA

PS - tawney, this is going to be YOUR year!!

I highly recommend subscribing to messages from the universe. They're the best.

I feel good today. It would be silly if I had any issues with getting "older" because I'm still such a baby bear, but I really believe it's all about how you feel anyway. My soul feels ancient and my spirit so young. I hope to continue growing in both directions.

What's way more exciting about today is that it's my anniversary. 10 years ago today my mom gifted me my first surfboard. I've rented 3 houses down in Mexico to celebrate in the surf. Mother nature is gifting me some hurricane swell and I couldn't be more excited to get down there tomorrow.

In the meantime I'm going to be here at the office. Last year my birthday wish raised $700 so I'm trying to top that this year. http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/332115?bws=fb_stream_card

I guess I should also spend some time thinking about my intention for the year. I think it would be to continue developing my perfect balance. The dalai lama was obsessed with learning. He always had people coming in and giving him lessons yet walks through the world with this beautiful balance of beginner and leader. I think this is such a hard balance. My rising sign is a libra so I'm on a constant mission to find the balance in everything, especially handstands.

"Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can."
— Dalai Lama XIV

Well, that's that. I'll strive to balance the beginner and the leader, the old soul and the young spirit, the fire and the water, the lion and the cat.

best to close your eyes and listen

2011-08-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

arts and crafts: dreamcatcher

2011-08-01T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I made a dreamcatcher. Its a quick and easy arts and crafts project that's great for putting special little things around the house into a safe dreamy place

2011-07-28T16:00:00.001-07:00

we have to stop consuming our culture. We have to create our culture

2011-07-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

this world is full of miracles

2011-07-28T15:02:00.001-07:00

you just have to look closely

friendly stair

2011-07-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I look at people like stairs. Without them I just stay in one place. Some people make me want to go down the stairs, it's easier. It can be more fun. Plus, it's good exercise going up and down the stairs. Most of the time I'm dancing between the stair I've been on and the stairs below. It takes a powerful person or moment to get me to the next step. I resist. Going up the stairs can be such hard work. It can be scary! And what about all the people down there? I don't want to be to far away from them to connect.
But once in awhile someone stands before me and shines a beautiful reflection of the whole stairwell. "Look at all the steps you get to take Tawney" they say silently, welcoming, with non-judgement. "Come join me, the view of the whole is beautiful. Everything's connected"
Thankful for the people who invite me up the stairwell.

image via weheartit

The Nom Nom Nom Cleanse

2011-07-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

favorite blogs update

2011-07-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hi friends
Mind sharing your favorite blogs? I'm looking for blogs that aren't just photographs
travel, charity, creative, co-operative etc. any entertaining, interesting content

THANK YOU!!!

2011-07-22T09:32:00.003-07:00

2011-07-22T09:29:00.001-07:00

my birthday wish

2011-07-21T08:38:00.001-07:00

http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/332115

2011-07-20T10:13:00.001-07:00

if it sounds like I'm always bragging about my friends...

2011-07-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

it's because I am.

They make magic

love love love this woman, her voice, her humor, her family. She's a good one.

nothing like some backyard waves & dolphins to cure the monday blues

2011-07-19T12:26:00.001-07:00

full moon surf

2011-07-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

summer is in full swing and I am one happy monkey.... or fish I should say.
I feel useless out of the water. My longboard is almost long enough to do some yoga, if only I could get a little portable kitchen out there....
Last thursday was a full moon. Could you feel it? Seemed like it was the talk of the town. Yes, I live around a bunch of hippies, but even momma was talking about it in Charleston. The moon had me feeling super adventurous so I decided to join the surf squad for night surfing. My old roommate Will would go night surfing and I thought he was crazy. Surfing during the day is enough for me. Maybe it was the warm night and family style crew, maybe the full moon talked me into it, whatever it was I'm thankful.
We went to Malibu, one of the most perfect waves in the world. What comes with the best waves in the world? crowds. People would pay to surf Malibu with no crowds. I gotta be honest there were a few other people out there and a few collisions :) but it didn't keep it from being one of the best nights of my life. Just being in the ocean under the full moon was powerful, but to make it 10 times better the waves were FREAKING PERFECT! Every 15 minutes a beautiful 3 or 4 wave set would come through, chest high, glassy, with the moon shinning through the wide wall. Gliding through friends with their glow sticks... I caught a few that actually made me squeal. WOOOO HOOOO my legs were sore the next day the rides were so long!
I'm sure some of you don't speak surf, but just think of your favorite thing in the world on top of heaven on top on an orgasm with a cherry on top and this was how I felt when I got out of the water 2 1/2 hours later. I couldn't sleep, my whole body was tingling for 24 hours, my surf stoke was at an all time high. You get it.

and the adventure continues.

stay creative

2011-07-18T10:53:00.001-07:00

a lifelong gift

2011-07-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

5 months ago today I got hit head on by an SUV while riding in the passenger seat of a friends convertible

I'm not as interested in shot gun as I used to be :)

it continues to be a topic of conversation.... I run in to people I haven't seen since it happened or before it happened, I get people with injuries saying they thought of me and my healing. It just seems to come up a lot and the funny thing is the thought of it always gives me this overwhelming feeling of joy.
Sure, it was scary as shit watching the light turn red and knowing the car wasn't going to stop. It was hard to ride in cars at all for awhile and i still have trouble in the passenger seat. Sometimes when I'm driving my mind plays tricks on me and I feel like I going to have some weird reaction to the accident all of the sudden and I'm going to have a seizure or something. It's been tougher to heal the mind then the body. But my God, I'm walking and talking, surfing and downward doggieing.

I woke up after my surgery and found a slug on my leg.

"Slug Medicine is in its most primal basic form that of a healer. Not too long ago, Native Americans used to let Banana Slug crawl around in their mouths when they had a toothache, because Slug's mucous is an anaesthetic. Slug's wisdom includes that of healing body, mind, and spirit, and represents the connections that must be healthy between these for overall well-being."

It's bizarre, the body can heal in amazing ways, but it's also SO fragile. We put some serious miles on these things! The two weeks after my accident were probably the best days of my life. I tear up thinking about it. Beginning with my roommate Shawn and the driver of the car Zani sleeping on the floor beside my couch on the first night and waking me up every 20 minutes to give me medicine and ice my face so my eyes didn't swell up. The community showed up in a BIG way.

This was 10 days after and we were well into the healing miracle.

Today I have a small bone that feels super creepy, but you can't see it underneath my eye and a small scar across my nose and on my cheek. I'm done with doctors, as far as I know, and I feel great.

I celebrate being alive and am fully present to how different things could have been if Zani turned a second earlier. The SUV would have hit my door and God only knows. Phew
I would never wish it upon you, but for me it was a tremendous gift.

You know what else is a gift? The same day as my accident I became a Godmother or goddess mother as we like to call it. My best friend delivered little Harper Holloway and today she is 5 months old. I feel the same age.

"The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience. Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around.... Throughout history, "tender loving care" has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing."

My hope is that today you feel alive and loved. If you don't, share love, it's sure to come back to you.

I'm pretty sure this is the reason I'm alive

2011-07-14T10:42:00.001-07:00

right here. right now

TB's 7am special

2011-07-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

I think I might have to do two rounds today, cause there is nothing I love more than that outside shower under a full moon. This hOMe is priceless

what you resist

2011-07-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

persists

I strongly dislike how true this is

Sundays are for the bare necessities

2011-07-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

working on making Sunday everyday

Italy

2011-07-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

My last name is Italian and I eat bread like an Italian so surely I'm Italian, right?
Well, my dad took his step dads last name and just pretended to be Italian. It fit with being a baseball player. I was such a confused little mut growing up. We were fake Italians.
Fast forward to high school. My mom and grandmother were having a conversation about their blood types and mom realized something fishy.... her mom and dads didn't match up to hers. So, my grandmother finally fessed up... She had spent sometime in Italy on one of her many wild adventures and rendezvoused with a local. Surprise, your dad's not really your dad.
Since adventure runs in our family my mom took off to europe to try to find her dad. She only knew his first name. She found out he worked in the hotel business, and met people that knew him, but he had already passed away. They wouldn't tell her his last name. I guess his sister didn't want her to know since he came from money. But my mom came back with more than she left with. She had just taken up photography and came back with beautiful photographs and a new love for Italy, her roots.
In all the times I've been to Europe I've managed to circle around Italy. I'm okay with that because I don't plan on just stopping through. I love to daydream about this magical place, but I'm ready to go....

http://-cityoflove.tumblr.com/

I'm going to sleep

2011-07-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

People say, ‘I’m going to sleep now,’ as if it were nothing. But it’s really a bizarre activity. ‘For the next several hours, while the sun is gone, I’m going to become unconscious, temporarily losing command over everything I know and understand. When the sun returns, I will resume my life.’
If you didn’t know what sleep was, and you had only seen it in a science fiction movie, you would think it was weird and tell all your friends about the movie you’d seen.
They had these people, you know? And they would walk around all day and be OK? And then, once a day, usually after dark, they would lie down on these special platforms and become unconscious. They would stop functioning almost completely, except deep in their minds they would have adventures and experiences that were completely impossible in real life. As they lay there, completely vulnerable to their enemies, their only movements were to occasionally shift from one position to another; or, if one of the ‘mind adventures’ got too real, they would sit up and scream and be glad they weren’t unconscious anymore. Then they would drink a lot of coffee.’
So, next time you see someone sleeping, make believe you’re in a science fiction movie. And whisper, ‘The creature is regenerating itself.

— George Carlin (via abandonairplane)

2011-07-09T19:58:00.001-07:00

For me, all I can do is spit in the eye of my fears by living each day with as much passion and commitment as possible to what truly counts, such as love and justice. To give into the fear and hopelessness would be to declare defeat, something I am not ready to do while there is still the will to struggle.
Lawrence Paradis

GlOw

2011-07-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

My favorite are the ageless yoginis. I tried to find a photo reference, but you know what I'm talking about.... Those women who smile through their eyes, revealing a road map of lines tracing all the things they've seen, touched, heard, and felt. Filled to the brim with experience and still childlike. Timeless

Age brings such beauty. As of now I just have scars and sun spots tracing my history, but I can still strive to achieve that glow. All I have to do is add "nothing" to my list of things to do.
Slowing down is so important, but consciously slowing down is key. It's easy for me to kick back and relax in the "get away from it all" kinda way. It's about checking in the big 3. Heart, body, and mind

meditation can feel like a lot to live up to. just breathe with me.....

Inhale through your nose
exhale: let you eyelids gently close
continue breathing through your nose
with your eyes closed look down and back- toward your heart. mmmm
inhale
exhale: release all of your breath until it's swirling around your base, grounding you in to your seat
let your next inhale be the biggest you've ever taken
keep sipping it in (there's more!) until your ribs are pressed against your skin and hold it there for a moment
exhale: feel your ribs sink back and dive into the space between your skin and bones. Consider THAT is who we are and these bodies that we become so attached to are only temporary temples we're living in
inhale
exhale
inhale: let this breath slowly paint your insides from the base of your spine to the top of your head
through the stomach, heart, throat, in between the eyes ( you might feel tension release from your eyebrows - gets me every time) and keep that going
let your thoughts float by like clouds
don't get frustrated, they aren't just going to disappear!
Keep in mind (literally) that to let something go we must first accept it.
give it a hug then set it free

heart, body, mind : CHECK

its like when a chorus has that moment when everyone's in sync. The harmonies and the (heart) beat are in the pocket.
When the heart, body, and mind is in the pocket we glow

we take around 28,000 breaths a day. Amazing that stopping to be thankful for a few of them can change everything.

LETS GlOw

Zani, thank you for being the first person to bring me to that space between the skin and bones outside the OM home :) love

live like you're on vacation: it's my new mantra

2011-07-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

and it's totally working
This is what my vacation looks like

be BOLD

2011-07-07T14:27:00.001-07:00

MAKE A RADICAL CHANGE IN YOUR LIFESTYLE AND BEGIN TO BOLDLY DO THINGS WHICH YOU MAY PREVIOUSLY NEVER HAVE THOUGHT OF DOING, OR BEEN TOO HESITANT TO ATTEMPT. SO MANY PEOPLE LIVE WITHIN UNHAPPY CIRCUMSTANCES AND YET WILL NOT TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO CHANGE THEIR SITUATION BECAUSE THEY ARE CONDITIONED TO A LIFE OF SECURITY, CONFORMITY, AND CONSERVATION, ALL OF WHICH MAY APPEAR TO GIVE ONE PEACE OF MIND, BUT IN REALITY NOTHING IS MORE DAMAGING TO THE ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT WITHIN A MAN THAN A SECURE FUTURE.
THE VERY BASIC CORE OF A MAN’S LIVING SPIRIT IS HIS PASSION FOR ADVENTURE. THE JOY OF LIFE COMES FROM OUR ENCOUNTERS WITH NEW EXPERIENCES, AND HENCE THERE IS NO GREATER JOY THAN TO HAVE AN ENDLESSLY CHANGING HORIZON, FOR EACH DAY TO HAVE A NEW AND DIFFERENT SUN. IF YOU WANT TO GET MORE OUT OF LIFE, YOU MUST LOSE YOUR INCLINATION FOR MONOTONOUS SECURITY AND ADOPT A HELTER-SKELTER STYLE OF LIFE THAT WILL AT FIRST APPEAR TO YOU TO BE CRAZY. BUT ONCE YOU BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO SUCH A LIFE YOU WILL SEE ITS FULL MEANING AND ITS INCREDIBLE BEAUTY.Jon Krakauer (via elige)

now your just somebody that I used to know

2011-07-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks Haley.
PS if you don't call me soon supernatural is over. and I'm taking JT

Happy 4th

2011-07-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hope you're feeling free

4th of July - make it meaningful in more ways than one

2011-06-30T09:51:00.001-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=210603872317092

days with my father

2011-06-29T14:19:00.001-07:00

beautiful
http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

I'm down with dogs

2011-06-28T14:16:00.001-07:00

14 hours of music. home sweet home

2011-06-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

check out John heart Jackie. heavenly

We had friends and family over for a Sunday Funday full of music, food, laughter, dancing, body paint, and campfire. We collected donations for camp (zeno mountain farms) because parties without a cause are so 2010. It was a beautiful day that turned into a beautiful night and a beautiful morning. Apparently we have enough talented friends to play for days!!

NYtimes article: technology provides an alternative to love

2011-06-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

a must read for your image expressed through a photo, a song, or a blog.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/29/opinion/29franzen.html?pagewanted=1&sq=technology%20provides%20an%20alternative%20to%20love&st=cse&scp=1

"How does this happen? I think, for one thing, that my love of birds became a portal to an important, less self-centered part of myself that I’d never even known existed. Instead of continuing to drift forward through my life as a global citizen, liking and disliking and withholding my commitment for some later date, I was forced to confront a self that I had to either straight-up accept or flat-out reject.

Which is what love will do to a person. Because the fundamental fact about all of us is that we’re alive for a while but will die before long. This fact is the real root cause of all our anger and pain and despair. And you can either run from this fact or, by way of love, you can embrace it.

When you stay in your room and rage or sneer or shrug your shoulders, as I did for many years, the world and its problems are impossibly daunting. But when you go out and put yourself in real relation to real people, or even just real animals, there’s a very real danger that you might love some of them.

And who knows what might happen to you then?"

Larry video on TED!

2011-06-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.tedprize.org/inside-out-in-action/

boy am I glad I brought my camera. This is as cool as having your music video on MTV in the 80s

sol-sista

2011-06-21T23:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer Sol-sista. I'm so fond of this day it feels like family.

Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world. ~Ada Louise Huxtable

listen

2011-06-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE. LISTEN TO EVERYTHING THEY SAY, AND THINK ABOUT IT, DON’T PASS IT OFF. YOU’LL START HEARING A LOT OF REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS. YOU’LL FEEL LESS ALONE. LISTEN TO YOURSELF. LISTEN TO THE INSIDE OF YOUR HEAD, EVEN IF IT’S TERRIFYING. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND WHAT IT WANTS AND NEEDS, NOT WHAT YOU THINK IT SHOULD WANT AND NEED. LISTEN TO BOOKS AND MUSIC YOU WOULDN’T NORMALLY LISTEN TO. LISTEN TO TREES AND ROCKS AND THE OCEAN. SERIOUSLY. THEY’VE GOT WICKED IMPORTANT THINGS TO SAY. ALSO SMILE. IN THE SUN.

some more of my yosemite favorites

2011-06-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

of course I couldn't go to yosemite without getting my hands a little dirty

my dad, the baseball playing bubblegum blowing champ

2011-06-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

ha I love youtube

Your offer: simply that we’d love

2011-06-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

A piece by Nada (Friends With Both Arms):

Preserved, in all fragility- I maintained.

A discourse in observtion, uninterested.

Bored of all the slow songs, off key.

Men of all kinds to come, and

repeat their words; all the same.

Eager, at my feet. Dull.

Possessed by no dimension, flat surfaces

and borrowed stories. Parades of conquest,

broad shoulders, forced chivalry. Bored.

I was without a warm body but my own.

Revelled in, outstretched limbs to a bed, unshared.

Delighted in freedom.

Never to decorate myself in fear, in hope.

I was of my own, belonging to no one but my

own heart, and perhaps only that of my father’s.

But you were unplanned, unknown.

Your tongue, without all the sweet words

I knew, no charm, no steady smile.

Your offer: simply that we’d love.

All thoughts and worry of self maintenance- dissolved.

All consciousness of self, and all the weight of I, relinquished.

I would not be yours, you would not be mine

But we would walk in rhythm, together

until our skin aged and loosened

until our silhouettes made new shapes

until our children would see us out of this world,

walking, in stride.

I knew myself little, before you.

It was in love, that I knew the

reasons for all my lonely, young breaths.

Waiting, for you.

very cool project

on pain

2011-06-14T12:43:00.001-07:00

thanks for your input on pain. I'm always delighted to see I'm not talking to myself, I'll save that for the car. I love that we have hands free devices now so I can talk away.

My good friend Jon gave me some advice awhile ago that really resonated with me, my lifestyle, and habits.

"Tawney, don't go out in the sun and pretend like you didn't just get sunburnt." I always remind myself of that when I'm struggling to accept pain. It could be worse, I could be struggling to accept happiness!!!

ahhh art and activism makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

2011-06-10T11:17:00.001-07:00

pain

2011-06-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

"People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain."

Jim Morrison via coffeeandyoga

I think it's a balance but I definitely agree with this. You?

cheeseburger!!!

2011-06-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

the only word in the english language bobby bird uses. Other than that, it's BB gibberish and I love it and I love him

hOMe- flying over Venice

2011-06-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

exactly where that 7am picture was taken.

love it

7am

2011-06-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

insta-smile

2011-06-08T22:29:00.001-07:00

greatest honor in all my years

2011-06-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

being the godmother of Landon and Harper holloway

love love love this family

10 years later and

2011-06-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

not one lesson learned?
except maybe we shouldn't use a rock to get out of a hard place

what if we came with big warning signs that say - "this is what my habits are: " and you aren't allowed to erase them, only other people

we can only hope the people we love work through the stuff that's eating away at them
we hope that we can help them
we hope that when they say things have changed, they have

but sometimes that's just not the case and thats just how it goes
and you keep hoping

tonight I'll do some heart openers and a little meditation for anyone who's every thought they didn't have it in um' (probably all of us)

nothin but LoVE

2011-06-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

“For certain is death for the born, And certain is birth for the dead; Therefore, over the inevitable thou shouldst not grieve.” but love love love :)

—

—-The Bhagavad Gita

Matt knew how to bring loVE everywhere . It's beautiful to see people carrying on his legacy

My beautiful friend Dawn introduced to me to Matt in Vegas at a Dave show of course. It was an honor to meet him before he passed. Here is the story of Matt and the loVE sign

make your love sign

Camp Slideshow

2011-06-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

zeno mountain farm

Have you seen your future? It's dancing in your thoughts....

2011-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Alright, alright I slacked off a bit when it came to consciously creating my future the past year. If "creating the future" sounds like a wacky spiritual philosophy you're right, it is, but it works so who gives a.
It's the basic idea that if you want to attract something put it out there, focus on it, talk about it, be open to the different ways it can present itself, and live as if you already have it. The challenge (i think) is along with all those things we have to be equally content in this NOW moment. We actually have everything we need.
Last year I made up that I was damn good at attracting what I wanted all while really having no idea what I wanted or what was good for me. Life would be pretty boring if I let that idea take the wheel.
Whatever I thought was good for me in that moment, was. I battled with that sunshine and rainbows outlook a lot, trust me. When you look back on things that were soooo painful and also see that they were obviously preventable it can cause a little civil war inside. It turned out that that little civil war caused me to put way too much energy into dissecting the past and not enough energy into creating the future.
Life is one big experiment for me. I choose to experiment with manifesting and positive thinking because it's a lot more fun than should-ing all over myself and thinking everything is just some weird coincidence. I'm sure I'll continue to have moments of disorderly shoulding and not trust my own judgement. I'll choose human over robot any day.
The key is consciously taking note of those "weird coincidences" so when those very human emotions come up a little smirk can shine through the tears.

This is Rachelle

I met her about a year ago through yoga and loved her, but we never got the chance to spend a lot of time together. Our paths crossed again a few weeks before camp and I told her she should join in on the fun. Camp is a HUGE... so many things.... a huge commitment, a huge space for transformation, a huge bubble, a huge challenge, a huge party. It's 24/7 of completely being of service. It's not for everyone, but Rachelle came in and rocked it! It was amazing to watch. Because she was about to go to Israel for 2 months she was in between jobs and houses so she got away with bringing her dog to camp. Not only did everyone fall in love with Rachelle, but they fell in love with Bailey. We offered to mommy Bailey while she was in Israel AND invited them to come live in the love compound when she returned.
Despite my extreme love for animals, I won't let myself get one until I'm more settled, but having a dog around is GREAT! I've loved taking her for late night walks and feeling safer than when I was alone, I love how she jumps into the nook in the morning, I love the extra company. The other night I got home from one of our first late night walks and I was feeling extra grateful. I was still putting my room back together after the camp madness and I found a little vision board from December 2009. I made it weeks before the -I have no idea what's good for me rampage began. It was such a good time to find the little gem and what sparked this whole entry. had to share

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle

my new favorite youtube video....

2011-06-02T12:18:00.001-07:00

"however you try to define meditation, it's not that"

2011-06-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Meditation Is Not What You Think

However you try to define meditation, it’s not that. Swami Brahmananda

Through many years of being involved with meditation we have seen how easily people miss the point, mainly because they take the practice and themselves too seriously. Many ‘try’ to meditate but their minds are so busy they get frustrated and quickly believe they are no good at it. Others turn into die-hard advocates of a particular method or technique and become like a salesperson trying to sell their product.

Just like Yoga, people want to own meditation and to believe that their technique is the best one. They give it a name: TM or Vipassana or Mindfulness and sometimes make outrageous claims of what can be achieved, but that is not the point. Meditation is not a technique – being quiet happens by itself, not because of following the breath in and out, reciting a specific mantra or creating a visualization.

Teachers, through their compassion, created the many methods and techniques in order to help their students to concentrate and focus their minds, to be one-pointed. No one technique is better than another; they equally give our monkey minds something to do other than drive us bananas. Many of the practices known as meditation are actually concentration; they bring the mental energy together so the mind is less fragmented. But this is not meditation.

Meditation invites us to stop, just stop, breathe and be. Just as with a musician playing or an artist painting, when we stop trying to make it happen something occurs, like the radiant sun that suddenly emerges in a cloudy sky. But because we try so hard, we identify more with the technique instead of allowing the meditation to reveal itself.

The practice of meditation easily gets put in a box: “I will practice now, at this time, at this place and in this posture, and I will do this particular method.” But a method is simply an aide; it is not the experience itself. A hammer can help build a house but it is not the house. There is no doubt that through practice we can release stress and feel wonderfully peaceful, but genuine meditation is about waking up, where the mind is clear and free of obscuration.

This is not a mental process but an experiential one as meditation is an opening, a release of ego identity when all attempts to meditate, all striving, all doing stops, when there is no past or future, just radiant emptiness. It is being present – fully aware and present in every moment — and we can do that whatever we are doing and wherever we are. It is the freedom to be fully oneself without limitations or ideologies – there is just this.

Deb’s father, Richard, was on a Zen retreat where he was taught to temper his sensuality, not to give in to his senses or think of sensual things but to stay focused and single minded. While walking in the garden he then came across a pond laden with happily fornicating frogs. We think meditation has to be something special but true meditation is opening and expanding our perception, as if seeing with new eyes.

The technique becomes redundant when meditation becomes our natural state. It doesn’t matter what the technique is — when we drive to Rome the car is necessary but when we get there it is immaterial – what matters is the attitude and awareness that we bring to practice. The teacher is also more important than the technique. They must be skillful, peaceful and clear, regardless of the method or tradition they are teaching.

The moon trusts that the world will continue to go round on its axis, birds trust there will be berries and seeds to eat, trees trust the seasons will follow in the right order. Until we trust that things will unfold naturally then we are slaves to our doubts, fears and neurosis, to the constant chatter in our heads that says we are useless and don’t know anything. But we don’t make the sun to rise or set. The planet is in orbit and neither we nor Jesus or Buddha or any of the wise ones run the show. Our job is simply to surrender to the moment.

this is Capers

2011-06-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

I met her last summer in the backyard of the Falling Whistles house in Venice where she was working, but quickly found out we went to the same middle school in Charleston, South Carolina.
Capers is in the middle of a long adventure and she's landed in Congo at the moment. Here blog is a beautiful display of truth. Her photographs and words are captivating in the way an orchestra or a beautiful woman can be as she shares some of our worlds harsh realities. She is a perfect example of someone who gives light to the dark.
check it out
http://theoppositeofwar.wordpress.com/

you can't fall in love with beauty

2011-06-01T10:36:00.000-07:00