LoL

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Michaela

And this is what it is really all about…

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Spiritual depression

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Michaela

Today I would like to investigate the subject of spiritual depression.

If you try to research the subject, it appears that spiritual and clinical depressions are worlds apart and is not least expressed by the language used to describe either state. One uses the language of medical and psychological science, the other calls on spiritual metaphors.

In my practice I am working quite a bit with people suffering from clinical depression and of late I am more and more able to make the distinction.

Depression  is a syndrome, which means the presence of certain symptoms indicative of low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter with an important role for the proper functioning of the central nervous system, heart and circulation, appetite and digestion, sleep and mood (just to mention the most important). Depression is a state of exhaustion and with exception of the rare cases of a primary imbalance of the neuro-transmitters in the brain, mostly brought about by chronic stress due to external factors like environmental influences or life-style choices, but mostly caused by inner conflict. It is important to understand that stress is not a unilateral event induced by one thing, but mostly the culmination of many contributing factors. Symptoms of depression include, but are not limited to, fatigue, loss of interest and motivation, trouble sleeping, changes in appetite and weight and many more. In treating depression holistically, it is important to identify all the reasons that may have contributed to the physical, mental, emotional and energetic break-down and – in co-operation with the afflicted person – look for the underlying cause. The good news about depression is that it can be treated successfully, even healed if the depressed person is inclined to take stock and is ready to change.

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New Year’s resolutions

Posted on January 2, 2011 by Michaela

Did you make some serious New Year’s resolutions?

I used to like the few days leading up to New Years Eve. The old year was coming to an end, and the New Year felt so close, with all it’s promises and opportunities.

It is the sense of pure potential, a clean slate, a new day – a new me.

New year’s resolutions tend not to get carried out. I have broken more New Year resolutions than I even care to remember. It feels great to make them, but they are infamous for nor being implemented for long.

Why is that so?

The word “ resolution” is derived from the Latin word “ relsolvere” and it means  to “separate from something, cut it off, untie it, loosen it”. It means to depart from a habit that we somehow believe does not (bene)fit the person we are.

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What I wanted to ask….

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Michaela

This is a new category based on an idea from Marta. A question will be posted asking for input and counsel regarding a specific challenge. Please use the comment section for your response.

Q1: I have these recurring thoughts of worry/ fear about the future. These past few days have gotten worse.

Your words of wisdom will be appreciated.

If you have a question, please feel free to email it to me and I will post it accordingly.

Posted in What I wanted to ask.... | 11 Comments

Dancing with the soul

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Michaela

On this journey there are many teacher – formal, informal, people, animals, objects, situations and there is really no limit as of what Life is using to guide us safely one step after the other.

Every day I notice that there is wisdom even  in the simplest activity of the day – like putting on my shoes or looking out of the window, watching the birds feeding from the bird- house. It is really quite fascinating and somehow my whole life has turned into one big teaching. It is really quite beautiful to observe – and to live in it.

I am not listening to a specific teacher right now, but follow what is coming into my life and simply resonates. Like this summer I developed this intense connection with Beethoven’s music – in particular the work of his last few years- that seemed to reach a depth I had not felt before. Then I received an invitation to attend a Kalachakra initiation in November, spending a weekend with a group of highly realised lamas and monks, leading a large group of students through an ancient ritual of transformation. Again that had come at perfect time and led to a further opening.

And then of course there is Rumi.

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Posted in All things Rumi, Teacher & Teachings, The Window Seat | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Levitation in a swirl…

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Michaela

Bells and whistles for the New Year – and a waltz.  This lovely performance is from today’s Vienna Philharmonic New Years Concert. It a waltz by Johann Strauss so aptly called “My résumé is love and passion “.

Enjoy

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The Good Root

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Michaela

Are you fleeing from Love
because of a single humiliation?
What do you know of love except the name?
Love has a hundred forms of pride and disdain
and is gained by a hundred means of persuasion.

Since Love is loyal, it purchases one who is loyal:
it has no interest in a disloyal companion.
The human being resembles a tree;
Your root a convenant with God:
That root must be cherished with all one’s might.

A feeble convenant is a rotten root, without grace or fruit.
Though the boughs and leaves of the date palm are green,
greenness brings no benefit if the root is corrupt.
If a branch is without green leaves, yet has a good root,
a hundred leaves will put forth their hands in the end.

Mathnawi V, 1163-1169
From: Rumi: Love’s Ripening
Translated by K Hemlinski and A Rezwani
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Bells are ringing…

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Michaela

A beautiful New Year tradition is the ringing of the church bells.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna has 12 bells – and they are being rung following a a complicated schedule. Their purpose is to call to prayer, to service or to presence. Not such a bad idea, as it seems…

A beautiful tradition is the ringing of the biggest bell – “Pummerin” (Boomer) at the beginning of the New Year. This bell has a beautiful, deep voice and is only rung on special occasions – like the first moment of the New Year.

Listen to the 12 bells of St. Stephens Cathedral ( very rare occasion to hear all of them)

Can you “feel” it ?

And here a link to sounds of other great bells.

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New Year’s Day

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Michaela

Happy New Year !

New Year's Day Kite Flying

When I stepped outside this morning, Life greeted me with a smile. A cold, clouded winter morning, but the air is sharp, pure and rich in humidity. On the horizon a bright band of luminous, clear sky, crisscrossed by some plane stripes. The street lights still on, ready to give over their faithful duty. The street deserted after a night of boisterous celebrations. Remnants of firecrackers and forgotten glasses of champagne.

It is very quiet and the air is full of promise.

Listen. Just listen….

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Woman, a Ray of God

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Michaela

She, whose beautiful face could enslave a man,
she whose haughtiness makes your heart tremble ,
how will you cope when she falls trembling in front of you?

She from whose disdain your heart and soul bleed,
How can they escape what has been made beautiful?
Because the divine created her
that he might take comfort in her,
how can Adam be separated from Eve?

Though he be a hero like Rustam or Hamas,
he is really the captive of his old lady.
The Prophet, to whose words the whole world surrendered,
used to cry to Aisha: “Speak to me my darling redhead!”

Water may extinguish a fire,
unless you put it in a cauldron,
but  the cauldron allows fire to dominate   the water
and turns it to steam.

If outwardly you dominate your wife,
inwardly you are dominated,
seeking her love.

The Prophet said,”Woman
prevails over the wise man,
while the raw and ignorant prevails over her.”
Those men who lack tenderness and affection
are animals, not men.

She is not that kind of beloved most imagine;
she is a ray of God.
She is not just created,
she is creative.

Mathnawi I, 2421-2437

 

From: Rumi: Love’s Ripening
Translated by K Hemlinski & A Rezwami

 

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