Eschatology

:Doctrines about death and its aftermath: 

the body of religious doctrines concerning the human soul in its relation to death, judgment, heaven, and hell.

This is a word I looked into...it struck a cord with me. It is something I've struggled with...in my life , in the past and now...

If there is a promised land and we are seeking that...working hard and long and never, ever rest because our main task is to get there..we cannot rest, we are in ungodly territory, the land of suffering and tribulation(according to some religious teachings), and the sooner we get into the good and perfect future-the better off we will all be.

But there is no place to go. Every time we finally reach the future, it vanishes into the present. We strain toward the future, never stopping to see where we are, never pausing to taste the fruits of our labor.

 Our true nourishment will come when we are successful, when we are rich, when we are saved, when it is our turn. Thus, satisfaction and delight are forever just out of reach!

So we despoil our nest, we ruin our air and soil, because it is all dispensable, we will not be here long, because here is no good, it is not where we are GOING...where we are going is good, holy, free, pure and perfect, it is not here...

Is this progress? Only when we can lie in green pastures and be led to still waters as the Psalmist says...and allow our soul to be nurished? Isn't this the psalm we sing when one dies?

BUT ~What if we are not going anywhere?  What if we are simply living and growing within an ever-deepening cycle of rhythms and seasons, perhaps getting wiser, perhaps learning kindness, passing what we learn to our children.

What if our life is a time when we are blessed with both saddness and joy, health and disease, courage and fear- and all the while we work , pray, and love, knowing that the promised land we seek is already present in the very gift of life itself...

What if this life is itself the jewel in the lotus, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price?

What if all the way to heaven is heaven?

The gifts of grace and delight  are present and abundant; the time to live and love and give thanks and rest and delight is now, this moment, this day.  Rest in the arms of the divine. We do not have miles to go before we rest, sleep, play, love...Take time now; we are already home.

“Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed; if we permit the last virgin forests to be turned into comic books and plastic cigarette cases; if we drive the few remaining members of the wild species into zoos or to extinction; if we pollute the last clear air and dirty the last clean streams and push our paved roads through the last of the silence . . .”
― Wallace Stegner, The Sound of Mountain Water

Set aside a period of time, alone or with someone close to you and walk, bike, sail, nap----anything that allows you, your body to be soothed by the nourishment of the earth. Spend as much time as possible in silence....
I need this, as I am feeling anxious...like I need to do things, get this or that done...but I don't know why..do I just need to be with me???

Yes

and Here is a new recipe to try

Save the Tuna Salad on Rye - KrisCarr.com

De-stress today

“Our entire life consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are.” ~ Jean Anouilh

Here is a wonderful message about stress from the Chopra Center in today's email I received...Also, please check out Their free 21 day meditation challenge!!! It is so wonderful!!

 

Someone once said that there are only two times when we feel stress – daytime and nighttime. Let’s face it. Stress is part of our everyday life. We experience some level of stress every time our needs are not met. In today’s meditation, we are going to transform our relationship with stress, learning to let it go and cultivate more peace, joy, and calm in its place.

What Is Stress?

Stress has been part of human life since our earliest days on the planet. Although we no longer experience the stress of living in cold, dark caves and fighting off saber tooth cats, we do experience emotional turmoil in our relationships, challenges balancing our daily lives, and a multitude of physical health concerns. When we encounter situations that we interpret as stressful, our body has the same reactions our ancestors had tens of thousands of years ago. Our blood pressure rises, we begin to perspire, our breath becomes shallow, and our blood platelets become sticky. Our body activates its fight-or-flight response, and it takes at least twenty-four hours for the body to recover its equilibrium. Many people live in a state of chronic stress and imbalance, which contributes to emotional and physical dis-ease.

Through the practice of meditation, we can activate a different response, one of restful awareness, intuitiveness, and creativity. Meditation takes our body and our mind from a place of hyperactivity, fear, unrest, and uneasiness to a state of inner calm, peace, and silence.

In meditation, as we cultivate the ability to witness the activity of the mind, we spontaneously make more conscious choices. We’re able to access the response that best supports our own health and well being. Stress then becomes something that we can observe and release.

 

Focus on these things......But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

It just takes a little focus, a little work, to change our habits. And a willingness to try again, and to try again and again to keep trying, when and if we cycle back to unhealthy habits. I'm really excited about my new relationship with food, and excited about my new ability to take care of myself. I've fluctuated alot recently and am trying again. As I hope you do too. Each time I get better and better with my food choices. If I crave chips I try to eat a bit more of a salty food like seaweed, nori wraps..I feel like my body is telling me something. I just have to listen.Holiday aren't as terrifying either. I just load my plate with the salads and veggies and fruits...Just focus on a balanced diet.

If we focus on the goodness, kindness, self control in all we do especially in our eating we can love ourself, be joyful in our life.

This is the season that we need to focus on love and joy and thankfulness for all we have and have been given.

A wonderful idea that I have found is Help Others.org..a wonderful story from there is this:

After many months of illness, the resulting financial troubles and the love and generosity of dear friends, family members and even strangers that helped me and my children through those difficult times, my life regained balance.

On a trip to the grocery store I spotted  a young couple hitchhiking with two puppies. They were obviously tired and discouraged and had made a sign, which simply read, "Just Food." Praying that they would stay put I hurried into the grocery store and bought a bag full of  nutritious foods, puppy chow for the dogs along with items I needed.

To my relief they were still there when I came out. I drove up beside them and the young man approached at my beckoning him. I handed him the bag full of groceries, saying, "this is for you..." then the bag of chow, "this is for your puppies", and then a ten dollar bill, "And here's a little money." His kind young face registered disbelief as he thanked me. I felt close to tears at his reaction. I knew exactly how he felt. And to be able to help! I looked into his eyes and said, "I've had people help me when I was struggling. God bless you."

Can we do this, would we?...I have to say I didn't..On a recent trip to Philly, I came upon a man with a clipboard and tape on his arm where blood was drawn...He was seeking help to get to his car which was in the impound lot. He said he was just released from the military hospital after serving our country and found his car had been towed.. I felt very badly for him and wanted to help but the fear in me stopped me...I thought he could just be scheming me for drug money so I kept walking...This still tugs my heart...I pray for him that, he is safe and got what he needed...I will try to be more open for my next opportunity to help others....

Birds

Writing…….

Journaling………

Thinking………….

Quietness…………..

Being with yourself……….

Relaxing………………….

Listening to nature around you…..birds….

do you hear them??? I do.

 Each morning they start singing and wake me, and then through out the day, if I’m home, I hear them and listen.  Whether you live in the city or county birdsong is meant to be a healing balm. Have our ears gone deaf to their charms? What cheeping and cooing are outside your window? Look for their nests tucked into branches while out for a walk.  Put up a feeder so they can serenade you.

Lets delight for the first time in the natural wonders we are too blind to see or too deaf to hear, pretending to be grown ups. Birdsong is delightful, let’s throw out our impressions of what a bird watcher is and delight in them in our way.

Do we do these things enough? I do not think we do because there is so much stress in our lives and it is affecting us in a negative way. I recently became aware again of my blood pressure. So, I took the necessary steps naturally to care for myself. I am also committed to exercising aerobically at least 2 X a week which is more that none.

 I feel so good for having done just that little bit for myself. I could easily be upset that I didn’t do more, but I need to give myself credit for what I AM doing and so do you.

Maybe by starting to take moments for ourselves in the above ways, We can become more aware of our successes, small as they may be.

I also have been on a raw diet for awhile now (over a year) and I haven’t been diligent with it. Change is so hard. But I am coming to the conclusion that I am on a journey and it only gets better, I keep going one foot in front of the other. I am blessed to have been aware of the changes I can make and continue to move towards them and not regret any mistakes on the way. Don’t we learn from the mistakes we make? I always believed that, I teach that to my children.

Things I am thankful for today are, I am on a good path in my life, I eat healthier than I ever have, I have a few good friends and wonderful family. I enjoy my life now more that I could ever have imagined, I love my husband & my kids and try to give them the best of me. I hear the sounds around me everyday; I smell the flowers and walk barefoot in the garden and in the mossy grass under my maple tree. I’m enjoying my work and friendships there and I am continuing to work on my art. I’m considering health coaching as a future endeavor and traveling more… my life long dream.

What are your dreams? Do you have any? If you don’t I think you should get one. And work toward it.

 We only have one life to live…..Enjoy it…Like the birds do…..Sing and be cheerful.

Zesty Spring Asparagus

fresh young asparagus
essential blend oil or other living oilCeltic sea salt
mild cayenne powder
Bragg's Liquid Amino

Drop asparagus into hot tap water or lightly steam for under 3 minutes, so they are brilliant green.  Arrange onto platter and drizzle over the oil and Bragg's, sprinkle on salt and cayenne.

Your Alter

"You Cannot but God Can"

 This is the next chapter's motto in Marianne Williamson book "A Course in Weight Loss"

This lesson is building an alter…I’ve done this before but lost it throughout the years.

She explains how our kitchen is the alter to fear,  so we build an alter to love. A small space that you can have all your own, a table top with beautiful objects and things that bring you joy. A candle your journal which will be kept there and a place to sit quietly near it. Below is an article I found which is very helpful  in creating your alter.

How to build an altar

Building an altar is a tangible way we can make space in our homes and our lives for Spirit. An altar need not be elaborate nor associated with any particular religion. It is simply a space you create to consciously welcome the sacred to your everday life.

The first step is to decide where in your home you would like to place the altar. Is there a spot where you regularly go to pray or meditate? Ideally, you will want your altar located in a quiet area of your home where you can sit undisturbed. You may also want your altar located where you pass by it or see it often, so that it becomes a visible reminder to you of your own commitment to a spiritual path. If you are shy about your spirituality, you will want the altar in a private part of your home. If you are exuberant and enjoy sharing your spiritual journey, then you may want to create your altar in a quiet corner of your main living area. Altars can be located on windowsills, in cupboards, on tables and shelves, under cloth-covered tables, inside closets... there are many possibilities.

Consider others who live in or regularly visit your home. Obviously you want your sacred items located out of the reach of toddlers and pets. Additionally, you will probably want your altar kept out of view of people who may be offended by your beliefs. Remember, this is about your personal and private practice.

Some people utilize the four directions and create an altar in the northern or eastern parts of their home, or so that they face north or east while sitting at their altars. In many traditions, north is the direction of spirit helpers and east is the traditional direction of new beginnings and enlightening thoughts.

Some people like to use the Feng Shui Bagua to site their altars. In the Feng Shui schools which use the compass points, the NW is the traditional area assigned to helpful beings and the NE is the area for inner knowledge and self realization. In the Feng Shui traditions which use the door as a reference point, the helpful beings area is to your right as you enter, and the self-cultivation area is to your left, both on the same wall as the door.

If you are unsure where to put your altar, write your question on a piece of paper and put it under your pillow. Literally, sleep on it. In the morning, you should have an image or impression of a good location in your home.

Now that you have a location in mind, ask yourself some questions to begin to define your altar's appearance:
Do I want my altar to be public or private?
Is there anyone who may come to my home whom I do not wish to see my altar?
Are there pets or children or others with whom I do not wish to share my altar?

If you decide you would like a private altar, but you live in a public space, there are many solutions. One is to create a portable altar. You can keep your altar items in a small box or bag and only bring them out for use when you are alone. A locking jewelry box with hinged doors is another option. You can keep the box doors closed when you're not using the altar. The same holds true for a cabinet. I made a portable travel altar from cloth that folds flat to fit in a suitcase or backpack and can be set up in any tent, tipi, hotel room or conference center.

If pets and children are not a consideration, but a frequent adult guest is, you can set up an altar underneath a cloth-covered accent table. Small, round particle board tables can be purchased for less than ten dollars at most chain stores. TV trays can also serve this purpose. Add a floor length cloth cover and voila - a lamp table on top, a concealed altar underneath.

Now that you've chosen the location, begin to gather items which have personal meaning and are sacred to you. I would not presume to tell you what's right for you, but here are some ideas to help you get started:

~ representations of deities or qualities you identify with / admire / feel connected to

~ a representation of you

~ items representing the four elelments
.....Earth - stones, sand, dirt from a site sacred to you, cornmeal, tobacco, a flower
.....AIr - incense, sage or sweetgrass, a feather
.....Fire - a candle (Be sensible. Use a fireproof container. Do not leave fire unattended), a representation of the sun, an electric lamp, a prism
.....Water - purified water, holy water, a seashell

~ A bell, chime, gong, bowl or other gentle soundmaker

~ Sacred texts which inspire you

~ a comfortable pillow or rug on which to sit or kneel

~ a notebook in which to record the insights you receive after meditating or praying

All sacredness begins within. Altars, or anything else in the physical, are simply tools to help us on our journey. As you grow and change, the items on your altar may change also. Have fun with this. Leave the dogma to the dour. This is your life, your home and your sacred space. Do it in a way that feels right to you.

Using your altar:

Humans tend to be creatures of habit. We can use this to our advantage. By consistently sitting or kneeling in front of our personal altar, we cultivate our relationship with the Divine. Regular use of your altar brings more sacredness to your life and your home. You may want to start by spending 5 or 10 minutes in front of your altar every morning right after you awaken. Before long, this quiet time in the morning will be so special to you, that you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. I can almost guarantee you that if you make a commitment to spend just 5 minutes meditating* in the morning every day for the next three weeks, you'll love the results!

Look around your home and see what is represented there. Perhaps you can see a computer or a refrigerator, or a stove, a bed, a radio or television. What kinds of thoughts and behaviours do these items evoke in you?
Seeing your altar in your home reminds you of your deeper values. The presence of a personal altar in your private dwelling can prompt you to tune into your own beauty and Divinity and your connection to All Life, Light and Love.

An altar reminds us to feed our souls.

If you already have an altar in your home, play with it. If you don't yet have an altar, I invite you to make one today, and experience the serenity it adds to your home and life.

Enjoy!

Eileen Lighthawk
www.centerforJOY.org
copyright 04, updated 08

I've outlined several Green Recipes below for your delight......

Green Smoothies for Beginners

 

Basic Balance
Victoria Boutenko

1 mango
1 cup kale
1 cup water
Yields 1 quart

Rocket Fuel Smoothie
Victoria Boutenko
2 cups green or red seedless grapes
3 golden kiwis, peeled
1 ripe orange, peeled, seeds removed
1 small leaf of aloe vera, with skin
5 leaves red leaf lettuce
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Morning Zing Smoothie
Victoria Boutenko

½ bunch dandelion greens
2 stalks celery
½ inch fresh ginger root
2 peaches
½ pineapple
Yields 2 quarts

Parsley Passion Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 cucumber, peeled
1 Fuji apple
1 ripe banana
1–2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Savory Green Smoothies and Soups

Mediterranean Soup
Victoria Boutenko
3 cups spinach
3 stalks celery
1 sprig oregano
1 sprig thyme
1 red bell pepper
1 large avocado
1 cucumber
1 jalapeño pepper
1 lime, juiced
2 cups water
Enjoy with dulse leaves or flakes
Yields 3 quarts


Soup Gazpacho
Victoria Boutenko
3 leaves kale, stems removed
1 bunch basil
3 large tomatoes
2 stalks celery
1 red bell pepper
1 large avocado
1 lime, juiced
1 cup water
Yields 2 quarts

Thai Soup
Sergei Boutenko
2 cucumbers
1 large avocado
1 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic
6 leaves curly kale, stems removed
½ teaspoon dried turmeric powder
½ inch fresh ginger root
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts


Cucumber Dill-icious Soup
Valya Boutenko
2 cucumbers
½ bunch dill
1 large avocado
5 leaves dinosaur kale, stems removed
2 stalks celery
1 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic
Yields 2 quarts

Green Puddings

Kent Mango Bliss
Victoria Boutenko
2 Kent mangoes
1 bunch chard, stems removed
1 pear
1 banana
Serve with kiwi.
Yields 3 cups


Green Pudding
Victoria Boutenko
1 bunch fresh parsley
5 grape leaves
½ pineapple
1 Abbot pear
1 orange, peeled
1 cup water
Yields 2 cups


Persimmon Pudding
Victoria Boutenko
3 fuyu persimmons, peeled, seeds removed
3 cups baby spinach
1 ripe banana
Yields 2 cups


The Pear-fect Smoothie
By Katya
2 d’Anjou pears
7 leaves purple kale, stems removed
1 leaf aloe vera
1 banana
Yields 2 cups


Applesauce
Valya Boutenko

4 apples
1 banana
1 head romaine lettuce
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups water
Yields 3 cups

Green Smoothies for Body Care

Aloe Facial Cleanser
Valya Boutenko
½ cucumber
½ avocado
1 large leaf aloe vera, with skin
Apply on skin as a sunscreen, or after sunburn, or to improve overall skin health. Keep on skin 10–30 minutes, then rinse off.
Yields 1 cup

Super Green Smoothies

Victoria’s Favorite Dark Green
Victoria Boutenko
1 bunch dandelion greens
4 Roma tomatoes
3 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Heavy Metals Be Gone
Valya Boutenko

1 bunch cilantro
2 cups stinging nettles
1 bunch fresh parsley
3 stalks celery
1 lemon, juiced
2 mangoes
Yields 2 quarts

Green Smoothie Monster
Victoria Boutenko
4 leaves kale, stems removed
4 leaves chard, stems removed
½ bunch fresh parsley
1 leaf aloe vera
½ bunch dandelion greens
3 pears
1 banana
3 cups water
Yields 2 quarts


Dark Green Love
Victoria Boutenko

1 bunch dandelion greens
1 medium cucumber
3 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Green Smoothies for Adventurous Souls

O-mega Aphrodisiac
Victoria Boutenko
3 cups wild purslane
1 small watermelon
3 limes, juiced
Yields 2 quarts


Revitalizing Energizer Smoothie
Victoria Boutenko
6 young grape leaves (they contain resveratrol, which triggers longevity genes)
3 leaves dinosaur kale, stems removed
2 mangoes
1 pint strawberries
2 cups orange juice
Yields 1 quart


Summer Splendor Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko
4 leaves chard, stems removed
3 stalks celery
1 head fresh parsley
6 apricots
3 peaches
½ vanilla bean
Yields 2 quarts


“Bitter Delight” Cocktail
Victoria Boutenko

1 large leaf aloe vera, with skin
4 leaves chard, stems removed
3 cups chickweed
1 banana
1 peach
1 pear
Yields 1 quart

Green Smoothies for Children

Miner’s Lettuce Smoothie
Sergei Boutenko

3 cups wild crafted miner’s lettuce (wild edible)
2 ripe pears
½ pint blueberries
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts

Coco-Tango
Sergei Boutenko
Thai coconut, meat and water
5 leaves kale, stems removed
2 nectarines
2 peaches
1 mango
Yields 2 quarts


The Laughing Gorilla
Valya Boutenko
½ head romaine lettuce
2 ripe bananas, peeled and frozen
2 oranges, peeled, seeds removed
1 mango
2 cups water
Yields 2 quarts
Warning: consumption of smoothie may
result in spontaneously occurring, extremely
contagious gorilla laughter


Emerald Applesauce
Aletha Nowitzky
4:5 apples
1 bunch fresh parsley
½ inch fresh ginger root
Yields 3 cups

Sacred Space

When we walk through our front door, we should be able to leave the stresses and strains of the outside world. A home should provide us with a sanctuary for the soul, a haven for the senses. ~ Jane Alexander

I’ve been thinking about expanding our home instead of moving. In doing so, I’m thinking of the décor and making the space more sacred. More of what I want in my life. By making the art in your home a direct reflection of what you have and want in your life. For example: If you want a relationship, hang images of couples on the walls and indulge in some sensual sculptures.

If you want to live in the countryside, have images of fields, woods and flowers all around you. Widening my idea of a vision board so my perfect life is everywhere I turn. Sacred comes from the root word meaning whole. To be your own self, wholly you, then, is to be connected to that divine spirit---God, Mother Earth, the Universal Life Force; however you perceive it. When you say something is sacred to you, you mean it is special to you in an intrinsic way; maybe it helps you feel more whole. Depending on where you are coming from, you may discover sacred space in a church, a temple, a mountain grove, a rocky beach, an art museum, or even the historic home of Elvis, Virginia Woolf or Jackie Robinson. This thought is smile provoking, so hold it today as you walk around the rooms where you live. Where are you happiest in your home? 

Then that spot is sacred for you. Sacred space feels inspiring, peaceful, comforting, or healing to body, mind, or spirit. When that space is your own house, it is easier to feel whole and connected in your daily life.

Sacred Space
By David Stanley Bell

Away
from the drama
this daily soap opera, life?
Away
from the conformity
the patterns that seek to possess me
Away
from the gold and steel
that line these prison walls Excuse me while I go away
into myself
into my sacred space
My honor, my duty
to myself
not that I may selfishly hoard
but that I may reconnect
to the divine
in the core of my being
that I may grow and thrive
in the love and light
of all creation
only then
can I give
with quality
To survive the cloak of darkness
which gathers around me
I must confront my own darkness
and love all that I am
the sinner, the saint
the flesh, the spirit
the man, the deity
the healer must first
heal himself
I must maintain
I must rejuvenate
these flowing lines
that define
who I am
You once knew me
as who you wanted me to be
paralyzed with fears
but now
I have mended my wings
I rise above
the haze of illusion
to soar with eagles
to kiss the face of angels
and tumble among clouds
Light of the creation
I draw you in
with every breath
I share
the pangs of evolution
the ecstasy of oneness
every step I take
is a sacred action
I can shine
and overflow
for those who wish
to fill their cup
only because
I respect
my sacred space.

Copyright © David S. Bell 2005. All rights reserved

Fluffy Chocolate Mousse

¼ C. Dates

¼-1/2 C. water

2 T. honey

¾ C. avocado

½ tsp. vanilla

¼ C. cocoa or carob powder

1. Blend the dates ¼ c. water, honey and vanilla in food processor until soft.
2. Add avocado and cocoa. Blend and scrape down bowl.
3. Add a little more water for thinner consistency. Will last 3 days in the fridge and 2 weeks in the freezer, sealed.

A little Divine dish for you to delight in.....