The practice of being home, has had an influence on me. I feel more expansive in this smaller space. I see, hear, and feel more of Nature. The mere act of doing less has reshaped my senses and I find a new appreciation of quiet, listening (inside and out), and feeling in-tune with a much bigger life form. 

I feel more creative, less critical, more at ease, and productive in a completely new way. The energy is very feminine, soft, at home, adaptive, receptive, and patient. There is so much power in the ability to adapt; like water, it can support life and also move earth! 

Now and for the foreseeable future, we will be exploring for ourselves what is close to home; figuratively and literally! Let’s see what we find and choose to lean in to the opportunity. Be well.

Knighthood of the 21st Century

There is a knighthood of the 21st century whose members do not ride through the darkness of physical forests, as of old, but through
the forest of darkened minds.
They are armed with a spiritual armor and
an inner sun makes them radiant.
Out of them shines healing,
healing that flows from the knowledge of the human being
as a spiritual being.
They must create inner order, inner justice, peace and
conviction in the darkness of our time.

– Karl Konig, printed in a Rudolf Steiner publication

Socially, we often find ourselves at a crossroad between old and new paradigms.

Old paradigm defined as a way of connecting that is fixing, advising, rescuing, or “making a person feel better” in the moment, all without their requesting it.
We have also experienced in our lifetime, an awakening around inter-dependence vs co-dependence or in-dependence. The new paradigm of allowing each person to stand in their own authentic truth without our approving/disapproving; to have and demonstrate the confidence that we are all perfectly imperfect and are accepted as we are, “worts” and all!

We are all in the process of becoming more fully that which we truly are. Consciously, I choose to release trying to measure up to standards from external influences. I am willing to see and behave in accordance with the things I have come to know as true and deeply value.

To create our own order, inner justice, peace, and personal conviction; is to become a knight in this 21st century. Equality, anonymity, and personal power are available and active whether or not we are consciously choosing to claim them.

To support this awareness for our gatherings, I have drafted the following Opening Comments.

Opening Comments

This group is committed to creating a safe place for sharing our wisdom with one another, for the purpose of witnessing and accepting without fixing helping or rescuing. This is not a therapy group, no one is here, in a professional capacity.

Our interest is to expand our awareness of ourselves and learn from listening to ourselves and each other. We are here to speak from our heart, to share openly and authentically as we are willing, without fear of outside opinion or advice.

We practice the art of allowing. Allowing ourselves to be who and what we are right here, right now, and allowing the same for each other.

Our personal truth need not be defended, approved nor rejected by anyone inside or outside this group.

Our desire is to improve the quality of our lives by looking honestly at who we are, by learning from listening to and sharing with each other, by placing ourselves in the care of our Higher guidance as we understand it or define it.


Our journey together will invite learning, shift in perspective, humility and validation. As with any journey, there are unknowns that are encountered and considered. This, is a precious space we have created for weaving a strong and supportive basket to hold all there is to hold. Thank you beautiful women for holding this space with me and imbuing the values we hold dear into the world!

In respect & gratitude,
Cynthia

You may be in free fall,
departing old wounds and tough choices…

You can fly.

You may see the tides rising,
rivers undammed. You’re paddling so hard.

You can swim.
You feel chaos all around.

Your peace is within.
The world seems scary, questioning, judging, and lonely at times.

You are safe.
Your answers are becoming.

You are embraced, cherished.
We’re in this together. You’re never alone.

Stop and listen to the heart, the wind outside, to one another,
to the changing patterns of this mysterious life.
It comes moment after moment,
out of nothing, and disappears into nothing.
Live with less grasping and more appreciation and caring.

– Jack Kornfield


The storm of change, it has been literally. I hope wherever you are, you are safe. This very unusual storm or atmospheric river, has been a force to be reckoned with. It has interrupted our routine, the things we count on like power or clear roads, or even going for a long walk. We’ve been called to find another way, to stop and consider what we have in a perhaps deeper way. To be kind and patient to those we share paths with. “EVERYONE CARRIES A HEAVY LOAD”.

An opportunity to step out of our normal routine can be a very useful experience. To see our soft spots, our triggers, our supports, our blessings. What have we noticed about ourselves, those close to us in relationship and how do we interact under stress.

What are our strengths? Aspects we’d like to step into more fully? Let go of? What is calling our attention now?

My thoughts and heart are with you. I look forward to seeing and reconnecting deeply; soon.

In respect & gratitude,
Cynthia

Personally, I have been noticing the ever constant, ever shifting flow of love energies that accompany us on our individual journey in the many forms of life expressions. Of late, I realize how I have often responded to people or situations that don’t match my preference, in a way that brings constriction. How much more freeing it is to meet life in it’s many forms and say “Hello Life. I see you and I’m life too” and feel at ease about things! Wow. What a difference from my used to be “norm”.

So often, I now see; I have held myself back, felt “less than” or unworthy of equal time/attention/love; and longed for a more fulfilling way to be in my life. Now it occurs to me that choosing my focus outside myself as the measurement of “me” is exhausting and clearly inaccurate! How much more supportive and accurate to connect with my own true center and my connections to Source and really honor my needs as a real priority. So I am supporting myself from a deeper place which I can share more about in person. But, I am excited about life and what’s ahead!

Not sure if any of you can relate, but if so I’d love to hear from you what you find works best for you.

Thank you for honoring your need and benefit in connecting with other wise women who, like you; value restoration and safe reflection!

What if our greatest gift, was the willingness to be open, neutral, receptive,… to wait? What if instead of walking into a space thinking ” What do I have to say? What do I know?” We focus on the stillness and silence?

Well, for starters, that is completely counter culture. And though we have ample information on meditation, empowerment and aspects of enlightenment from many cultures, our civilization is built on knowledge. College degrees are considered essential to serious employment. When we experience struggles and we need help we turn to an expert to tell us what to do. We have grown up with this, it’s part of us.

And we are changing that. There is a curve of direction as we navigate our travels through things like the internet and connect more directly in our community and ourselves.

The consequences of this shift can bring feelings of uncertainty, self doubt, even ridicule from ourselves or others. The “Shaman’s Journey” is inclusive of the experience of following inner guidance and can be accompanied by the aforementioned thoughts. When an individual steps into their creative power and listens directly there can be great growth and autonomy as a result.

So, I may be “preaching to the choir” and yet the fluidity now called for, is a level we have not experienced before. I’d love to explore in conversation, what that means, how it might already show up in our lives, and get to know the aspects of ourselves that are now inviting forward.

“We are the ones, we’ve been waiting for.”
– June Jordan’s “Poem for South African Women,”

Sometimes, more frequently than I’d like to admit; I am vexed that so many things that are needing attention in any given day are invisible to the people around me. Bright, accomplished, good folk don’t notice them. There are so many things; big and small, that seem overlooked, that I can feel overwhelmed and unsupported.

As we increase our awareness we see more things in our range of vision. And our life experience adds to our individual filter of perception so that future encounters connect more quickly with things we have experience with. (I just bought a green car and now I see so many green cars on the road!) As the veils continue to thin, and the consciousness grows, we all will have more access to awareness and innate knowledge from other lifetimes or group consciousness.

In Deepok Chopra’s newest book, Meta Human; he refers to this growing access to information we didn’t learn in our current life. One example is the “Sudden Genius” where someone just all of a sudden, no brain trauma, no tumor, no coma; just knows an intense amount of information they didn’t the moment before. There are documented cases of this. In one case, a 28 year old man realized one morning that he new all the major musical scales and minor scales; in fact he knew all musical aspects without any musical training.

Our existing or old tools, were brought about for and by, a different time and energy. It stands to reason that we may be finding they are not as effective as they used to be. We have opportunities for a new way to see things and new ways of being. A way that allows us direct connection.

I spent the weekend at a workshop to set clear intentions for 2020. A new decade, I have many irons in the fire and I decided it was worth my investment. My thoughts at the onset was that I needed to get organized, I have more responsibility to take on with business and personal aspects shifting and I better really buckle down (way more linear than I normally am). The process included a guided meditation and other intuitive aspects as well as a 20 page workbook. I left feeling clear that my theme for the year is: Spaciously Create Harmony. Not really the brass tacks I was expecting filled with structure and discipline, hard work and long hours. It made me laugh to think that I was operating with my old glasses of how to “get serious” about something and the new energies are really so different that we need to be willing to be more and do less!

Let’s explore new ways and tools to support our needs, how to tune to the abundantly available intelligence and knowledge available. Are we willing to loosen our hold on the way we’ve always done it? Are we willing to be a beginner in Beginner’s Mind and be relaxed and curious? Can we identify supports in our life and be willing to receive them? Are we already noticing the easy and almost effortless way that things are moving as if just by a thought!

A new year.
Where are we?
Where do we go from here?
Are we ready?

A wise woman recently said, “There are many things to learn from experience. But it’s easy to get focused on the areas to improve, or what didn’t meet expectation. So, it’s always a good idea to start with the celebrations!”

What do we consider a win?
What have we have been consciously intending
that required patience and perseverance?
What surprised us with support or synchronicity?
What new connections were made; inside and out?

And you know what follows; what are your intentions for the new year? It might be trendy or cliche but energetically, this kind of reflection and visioning is particularly aligned with us as we start a new calendar year.

I respect and learn from each of you. I feel honored to share this sacred space with and around you. You have mirrored for me the sacred feminine, the power, grace and vulnerability of being truly receptive. I am humbled by the generosity of spirit each of you has offered in support of Life.

Each of us reflect and respond to these inquires as our own new year renewal unfolds. In our gathering and sharing with each other, we cultivate a deeper understanding and connection. Now, more than ever; I am appreciating our willingness to gather and share exchange with one another. I’m so grateful for you…

I hope this finds you deep seated in your wisdom, feeling it’s earthy tentacles reaching deep and wide, and enjoying the time of year we are part of. This is the time of Solstice! Light returns, affirming the Wheel continues to turn!

As we enter the year and more likely; the decade of 2020 vision, aka clarity and transparency it is implied that avoidance, denial and cover-ups will be feeble attempts and unsuccessful. Yes, we have no doubt all called this in as we become more clear about corruption, abuse of power, and inequality on so many levels. I am with you on that! And, make no mistake; this will be a significant transition for each of us to navigate in our own lives.

“Whether you are traveling up the ladder or down, your footing is unsteady.” -Tao Te Ching

In my own life, I see issues in my family that have been present for many years coming to a head. It has felt to me like I just need to carry on, keep on track, pick up the slack for others because somebody has to, and all the while knowing it was not sustainable long term. I think we can all relate to that kind of a situation at one time or another in our lives. Life calls for us to “hang in there” until things work out. It is often the case, that we don’t realize the volume of this dynamic in our lives because, well simply put; we adapt. Perhaps initially out of love, later shear momentum.

We are part of a great tapestry, a bigger picture of life and connection, of harmony among the myriad of differences we all carry. And we are not alone. There is a process, an evolution if you like, that we are part of. I think of it as being in the ocean; and we can fight it by thrashing and tightening up out of fear – or we can notice the rhythm, the pattern of movement and align with the ocean.

This new year feels to me like a great swelling, a wave perhaps that will carry much that we have been tolerating and feeling burdened by for quite some time. If we choose, we can align, relax and allow the energy of this universal movement to carry us to a new level. Are we willing? What does that leave us with? Feeling lost? Feeling ready and exhilarated? Feeling supported?

I was singing a song, Oceans; in our Fall concert and hearing the words “…keep my eyes above the waves” thinking to myself how well that captures how I feel currently. I have three major areas in my life all significantly changing and feeling like I am in a great ocean, which I realize I have no control over; and doing my best to not give in to an old pattern of fear and overwhelm. But instead calling on and receiving the universal; human and non-physical; support that is always present with and around me. And realizing that this means a significant shift in my identity. I am not lost, a failure, less than, not good enough, hopeless, powerless, or unlovable; as I have allowed myself to entertain. Really, truthfully, I am in the right place at the right time, guided by my inner guidance and teachers of many sorts, carrying the lineage of so many healers and teachers in my ancestry for countless generations, filled with hope, trust and inspiration stepping more fully into my power each day and loved without limit; by Life!

It takes courage and humility to accept the real authentic brilliant light we are and know that just because others don’t recognize it in us, or in themselves; doesn’t mean the Light is not really there. Please, join me in claiming your own beauty, truth and power; and consciously choosing to give it the respect and purpose that it deserves as we enter into a new year, the next decade of time and space together.

Most of my life, I have been taught and encouraged to find happiness, to follow my heart and to always do my best. Somehow along the way I have gotten the idea that I’m only acceptable when I am “happy”, I should follow impulses and doing my best is not good enough unless it’s good enough to “others”.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I can function in life pretty well; at least enough to get by. But in my travels I have gained insight about many of these aspects and made updates to the original program; in some cases multiple updates. I am open to better understanding myself and am much more willing to be comfortable with the uncertain or rough parts of myself. I am far from “done” and am looking for the beauty of progress, indicators of the “track” I am on.

It is particularly clear to me that progress from a place of being lost, is just seeing clearly where one is. And progress from finding oneself in a place that is not aligned with conscious choice, is to identify what would be and then to progress from there. To be truly alive and conscious in ones life is to be awake to the full array of sights, sounds, smells, sensations; all the them and not just the pretty happy ones.

The teachers in my life have helped me be more clear about the fact that we as humans sometimes make assumptions instead of use our senses and be present to the mystery, that we can be impatient or unwilling to be still in the uncertainty which is part of our experience here. And that we can without realizing it, use our pain from the past to color our expectations of the future, allowing fear to become dominant in our lives.

Close, trusting relationships are a gift that can allow us the opportunity to be supported by reflections from those around us, or be reminded of things we have mastered or long to master. The essential ingredient? Well it includes choosing to receive the support and to be patient and humble for sure. I have found the biggest single key for myself, is to maintain the role of being in charge. To exercise my empowered self, to remember my choices for personal growth, authenticity, and close community with others. As a survivor of many types of abuse, I say “who”, I say “how”, I say “when”. I take the responsibility of my own well being.

The month of December is often a challenging one. Darker days, colder nights, and whether one is religious or not, there are outside expectations to navigate. It affects us differently and we can learn from and support one another.