Means of Life (2)

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Michaela

Many years ago, in the search of what I felt was missing in my understanding of the human body and how to help people heal, I came across the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. It is a Sanskrit term meaning “ Knowledge of Life” and it is the world’s oldest holistic medical system that is preserved. Some of the ancient texts are over 2000 years old and legend has it, that rishis, or sages, received this knowledge in meditation directly from God. The study of Ayurveda starts with the (vedic) philosophy of creation and the fundamentals of the relation between of energy and matter are the basis for the understanding of health, as well as the manifestation of disease.

I often think back now, as I am working with holistic principles myself and I cannot help but notice, how much the principles of the old wisdom still applies, even tough we have moved forward and developed to a society that is a far cry from India a couple of thousand years back.

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What I always have wanted to ask….

Posted on January 11, 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.

Q4:  I am torn between my my passion for painting and the need to support myself and my daughter.

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.

Previous questions can be found here

Posted in The kitchen sink, What I wanted to ask.... | 3 Comments

LoL

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Michaela

There is nowhere to go, nothing to do….

Posted in What's the craic ? | Leave a comment

You see, I want a lot

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Michaela

You see, I want a lot.
Perhaps I want everything:
the darkness that comes with every infinite fall
and the shivering blaze of every step up.

So many live on and want nothing,
and are raised to the rank of prince
by the slippery ease of their light judgments.

But what you love to see are faces
that do work and feel thirst.

You love most of all those who need you
as they need a crowbar or a hoe.

You have not grown old, and it is not too late
to dive into your increasing depths
where life calmly gives out its own secret.

Rainer Maria Rilke / The Book of the Hours
(translated by Robert Bly)

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Posted in Books & Poetry | Tagged | 18 Comments

The ardent alchemist

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Michaela


The alchemist starts an experiment with preparation.
A measure of this, a quantum of that.
Bring it together and hold it to the fire.

Open the senses to the result.


Posted in Wisdom & Method | Tagged | 2 Comments

Means of Life (1)

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Michaela

Lately I have become really intrigued with the obsession of our Western society with food. I have written on other occasions about my own (past) passion for cooking and how it has been changing lately, transforming into something else. Moreover, I feel I am only starting to scratch on the surface of the subject, that seems to be so central to the collective creation of illusions and the compulsive hanging on to something that ultimately does not work.

Don’t get me wrong. I love food and I am fascinated by it. I regard food as provider of the right particles for the body to transform into energy, as well as unfolding their respective qualities to correct any imbalance. Food is nourishment for body and mind, it is medicine as well as matter of deep spiritual symbolism, in terms of cycle of life, transformation and connectedness. To contemplate on a bowl of cereal can lead to significant insights.

What I observe tough is the heightened collective interest in eating. Not only taking in food – no, forever searching for the right kind of food to make us happy, healthy and holy. Media have jumped on the subject, there is a huge variety of books, diets, scientific studies, not so scientific studies, new conclusions, recommendations, all sorts of restaurants, recipes, old wisdom, new fads, intelligent food, vitamins, supplements, nutraceuticals,  micro-nutrients and what not.

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The wisdom of Rumi

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Michaela

Though fire’s heat be hidden in the midst of water,
Yet a thousand boiling bubbles prove it present.
Though the heat of the fire be working unseen,
Yet its bubbles signify its presence plainly.
In like manner, the members of those enjoying “union”
Become big with child, viz., with forms of “states” and “words.”
Gazing on the beauty of these forms they stand agape,
And the forms of the world vanish from their sight.
These spiritual progenies are not born of the elements,
And are perforce invisible to the sensual eye.
These progenies are born of divine apparitions,
And are therefore bidden by veils without color.
I said “born,” but in reality they are not born;
I used this expression only by way of indication.

Rumi ( Mathnawi VI)
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Sharing

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Glerikud

You realize, that you were under the control of thoughts and emotions.

The ego suddenly sais: “How can thoughts and emotions controll you? It’s not the way it is.”

You smile, becouse you know that the ego cannot see the thoughts or emotions. It’s made of them.

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The last house of this village

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Michaela

The last house of this village stands
as alone as if it were the last house in the world.

The road, that the little village cannot hold,
moves on slowly out into the night.

The little village is but a place of transition,
expectant and afraid, between two distances,
a passageway along houses instead of a bridge.

And those who leave the village may wander
a long time, and many may die, perhaps, along the way.

R.M. Rilke (The Book of of Hours)

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Cleaning out the attic

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Michaela

Evening shower - good or bad ?

Imagine you had a glimpse of reality once and suddenly understood, you are not the plane two-dimensional being you thought you were, but there was another huge, multi-dimensional field in the beyondness of your own humanness, a vast nothingness that contains everything.

The veil may have lifted for a short period of time and allowed you to experience who you really are, let you experience the Truth. And then it closes again and leaves you wondering: “ Now what? “

As life is perfect you will find everything you need right at your fingertips. This could be a teacher, a life-situation, a book, a video clip or the words of a wise human being, gently pointing you to your next step. And they all, in so many words, will tell you the same thing: “ Stop looking outside. All you ever need is inside of you”.

The problem is, you may not find it right away. Think about a crammed d attic – for many decades you have put stuff up there because you thought you need it and did not want to let go of it. Now you have a space cluttered to the hilt and all you know is – it’s right there, but it won’t reveal itself until I have cleaned out the garbage and brought order into the mess.  And so you start your sanitation project.

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Posted in The Window Seat | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments