Healing Cycles

 

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for leaving the check with Yamin for your second installment for Moon Cycles.  She will cash it on August 1st but I am attaching the paid invoice plus the invoice for the herbs she gave you yesterday.  Feel free to bring a check with you to your next visit.

Let me know if you have any questions

The Fire Element

In Chinese Medicine, the element of Summer is Fire and its corresponding organ: the Heart. The Fire element represents heat, growth, and movement. It’s the most yang of all elements, indicating maximum activity and expansion.
Today, we begin our immersion in the Fire Phase by paying attention to its qualities and the way(s) in which Fire informs our human perception.

Being with Fire 

Listen to this audio recording or look into a flame and…
…Focus your gaze at the very tip of the flame, where the flame turns to smoke. Notice that the color here is different than it is in the middle or the bottom of the flame. Become the top of the flame, the flickering Light which is willing to go with the slightest air movement. Feel the flame as it becomes wider, thinner, quieter or more active as outside forces (like your breath and the air in the room) affect it (you). Become aware of the smoke – sometimes it rises straight up into the air and sometimes it twirls around in spirals as it rises.  Pay attention to the bottom color and its relationship with the top end of the flame.  How does the blue portion of the flame support the integrity of this expression of Fire? Who would the flame be without it?…

In Chinese Medicine, the element of Summer is Fire and its corresponding organ: the Heart. The Fire element represents heat, growth, and movement. It’s the most yang of all five elements, radiating maximum activity and expansion.
Today, we begin our immersion into the Fire Phase by paying attention to its qualities and the way(s) in which Fire informs our human perception.

Being with Fire 

Listen to this audio recording or look into a flame and…
…Focus your gaze at the very tip of the flame, where the flame turns to smoke. Notice that the color here is different than it is in the middle or the bottom of the flame. Become the top of the flame, the flickering Light which is willing to go with the slightest air movement. Feel the flame as it becomes wider, thinner, quieter or more active as outside forces (like your breath and the air in the room) affect it (you). Become aware of the smoke – sometimes it rises straight up into the air and sometimes it twirls around in spirals as it rises.  Pay attention to the bottom color and its relationship with the top end of the flame.  How does the blue portion of the flame support the integrity of this expression of Fire? Who would the flame be without it?…

In Chinese Medicine, the element of Summer is Fire, and its corresponding organ is the Heart. The Fire element embodies intense heat, vibrant growth, and dynamic movement. It stands as the epitome of yang, radiating maximum activity and exhilarating expansion.
Today, we embark on an enthralling journey into the Fire Phase by deeply immersing ourselves in its captivating qualities and exploring how Fire shapes our very perception of existence.

Being with Fire

Listen to this audio recording or gaze into a flame and…
…Channel your focus to the very tip of the flame, where the fiery brilliance transforms into smoke. Notice how the color here dances differently from the middle or the base of the flame. Embrace the essence of the top of the flame, the flickering Light that eagerly sways with the slightest whisper of air. Feel the flame as it expands, narrows, becomes tranquil, or bursts into life, influenced by the external forces of your breath and the atmosphere surrounding you. Awaken to the smoke – sometimes it ascends directly into the sky, and at other times, it twirls gracefully in enchanting spirals. Pay homage to the bottom color and its relationship with the vibrant apex of the flame. How does the blue portion of the flame fortify the essence of this magnificent expression of Fire? What would the flame be without it?

In deep reverence (and respect) for Fire

Yamin .

Focus your gaze intently at the very tip of the flame, where it transitions into smoke. Observe that the color at this point is distinct from that in the middle or the bottom of the flame. Assume the perspective of the top of the flame, the flickering light that responds to the slightest movement of air. Feel the flame as it shifts, becoming wider, thinner, quieter, or more active as external forces, such as your breath and the surrounding air, influence it (and you). Notice the smoke—it may rise directly upward or spiral elegantly as it ascends. Pay attention to the bottom color and its relationship with the top end of the flame. Consider how the blue portion of the flame upholds the integrity of this expression of fire. Who would the flame be without it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKrdC_iMfNU

I hope that you are well and Heart tending as we enter this Summer season.

As you already know, Sam had to leave his Guide seat for our upcoming NOC. I am happy for him and his upcoming adventures!  Scott, kindly offered to co guide with me but after looking into what it would take for us to co-guide this program including time availability, Scott’s pending certification as guide for the School and the fact that we only have one sign up thus far, we decided that this year does not look like a good time to offer the NOC.  

As you may already be aware, Sam has had to step away from his Guide seat for the upcoming NOC, and while I genuinely feel happy for him and the new adventures that lie ahead, it’s a bit bittersweet for us. Scott graciously offered to co-guide with me, which I truly appreciate. However, after considering various factors, such as our time availability, Scott’s ongoing certification process for the School, and the fact that we currently have only one sign-up, we’ve come to the difficult decision that it may not be the right time to offer the NOC this year. Could you please take care of canceling the program and inform the one person who signed up? Thank you for your understanding.

ease cancel the program and let the one person who signed up know?

Dear Collective, Rory, Jade, and I are opening our arms wide to welcome you to our upcoming retreat: Rooting in the Now, a Noticing Journey. In preparation for our time together we invite you to: 1. Take a moment to reflect on the reasons you said yes to this retreat. 2. I’ ve created a What’s Up Community chat called: Rooting and Rising in the Now Retreat. We will use this group for logistics and announcement before and during the Retreat. Please, let me know if your name has not been added to it. 3. Prepare for Altitude! If you know to be sensitive to altitude or have never been over 7,000 feet above sea level, I recommend that you start supplementing 48hrs before flying out to Telluride. Here are some herbal formulas that could help: Altigen or High Summit Altitude Sickness Tincture. Once you arrive in Telluride, we recommend that you get an oxygen can from Sunshine Pharmacy or ACE hardware store to help you acclimate. 4. The weather at high altitude is very variable. Jade recommends that you bring layers and be prepared to have all four seasons in one day! Also, we will be outdoors, so bring your hiking boots or any other shoe ware apt for walking on uneven ground. Inside the Rooting House, we will ask that you either wear indoor shoes or be barefooted. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat and a swimsuit…it is Summer, after all!

Dear Collective, Rory, Jade, and I are opening our arms wide to welcome you to our upcoming retreat: Rooting in the Now, a Noticing Journey. In preparation for our time together we invite you to: 1. Take a moment to reflect on the reasons you said yes to this retreat. 2. I’ve created a What’s Up Community chat named Rooting and Rising in the Now Retreat, which will be our hub for logistics and announcements before and during the retreat. If your name isn’t already in the group, let me know. 3. Prepare for altitude! If you’re sensitive to altitude or have never been above 7,000 feet, I strongly recommend starting to supplement 48 hours before your flight to Telluride. Consider using herbal formulas such as Altigen or High Summit Altitude Sickness Tincture. Once you arrive in Telluride, grab an oxygen can from Sunshine Pharmacy or ACE Hardware to assist your acclimatization. 4. Be prepared for highly variable weather at high altitudes. Jade suggests packing layers to embrace all four seasons in a single day! Since we’ll be outdoors, make sure to bring your hiking boots or any footwear suitable for uneven terrain. Inside the Rooting House, we encourage you to wear indoor shoes or go barefoot. Don’t forget your sunscreen, a hat, and a swimsuit—it’s summer, after all! Here is the Retreat Schedule. We look forward to our time together!

Gently, with the intention of tending the Fire within, unlock your torso by rooting your hips while lengthening your spine to allow your chest to unfold and receive the warmth of the Sun.  If you are in need or curious about transforming your rib cage into a basket, I recommend you take a look at these two Feldenkrais lessons: “Softening the Ribs”* and “Freeing the Chest”** . Practice walking around as a flower-body, rib-basket lifted, and notice how this “Fire Posture” informs your connection to yourself and others. Above all, HAVE FUN!

Gently, with a nurturing intention towards the Fire within, unlock your torso by rooting your hips while lengthening your spine to create space for your chest to unfold and embrace the warmth of the Sun. If you’re feeling curious or in need of guidance to transform your rib cage into a basket, consider exploring these two Feldenkrais lessons: “Softening the Ribs”* and “Freeing the Chest”**. As you practice moving through the world as a flower-body, with your rib-basket lifted, pay attention to how this “Fire Posture” can deepen your connection with yourself and those around you. Most importantly, remember to have fun along the way!

Heart

Chinese medicine and acupuncture are based on the idea of harmony between Heaven and Earth. This harmony reflects the possibility of unity within our bodies. The Heart is where the Celestial and Terrestrial meet, inviting us to realize its potential.

‘“Like the sun, the heart warms, it keeps the gentle warmth of life by circulating the blood; but it also illuminates and brings the light which comes from the presence of the spirits”

The Double Aspect of the Heart – Elisabeth Rochat De La Vallée

In the realm of Chinese medicine, the heart embodies both form and formlessness, gracefully oscillating between the seen and the unseen.

I hope this email finds you in good spirits you cross the threshold into theWinter Solstice. Sam and I were anticipating the chance to meet you in person this Fall for the Nature of Council, but unfortunately, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the program due to unforeseen changes in our plans for the remainder of the year. That said, I want to share that there are two other programs occurring around the time you were scheduled to travel to California: The Four Shields for Women and the California Mirroring. I’ve cc’d our wonderful Tess Howel, who can assist you in transferring to another program or arranging a full refund of your deposit for the Nature of Council. I genuinely hope our paths cross in 2026!

I hope that this email finds you well as you cross the threshold of Winter Solstice.  Sam and I were very much looking forward to meeting you in person this Fall for the Nature of Council but, sadly, we had to cancel the program due unforeseen change of plans for the rest of the year. However, there are two programs running around the time you were going to travel to California: The Four Shields for Women and the California Mirroring.  I am cc’ing our wonderful Tess Howel to help you transfer into another program or get a full refund of your deposit for the Nature of Council program.  I hope that we will meet in 2026!

Dear Collective, I can already feel the activating warmth of our soon to come retreat! As per your request, below is some more information about our time in the Rooting House: 1. I contacted the host and she informed me that tap water at the property is safe to drink. Also, bear in mind that we will treat you with a daily Tea Ceremony together with herbal teas that you can enjoy throughout the day. If you know to run low in blood sugar, please do not forget to pack your snacks! 2. The property accommodates one vehicle and includes an O Zone town pass for street parking near the home. The vehicle must be registered with the local team at check-in by providing the plate number and state. If you are planning to come to the House in two vehicles, please write to me with the information so I can have the pass ready at your arrival. 3. For thos eof you who are planning to cook for our potluck dinner, you are welcome to use the kitchen and/or our front porch grill, fueled using a propane tank.

Dear Collective, I am excited for our upcoming retreat and the activating warmth it promises. As requested, here is some more information about our time in the Rooting House: 1. I have confirmed with the host that the tap water at the property is safe to drink. You can also look forward to a daily Tea Ceremony and a selection of herbal teas to enjoy throughout the day. If you know you tend to run low on blood sugar, don’t forget to bring your snacks! 2. The property accommodates one vehicle and includes a O Zone town pass for street parking near the home. If you intend to arrive in two vehicles, simply email me your car plate number and state, and I will ensure it is registered with the local team and that the pass is ready for your arrival. I must receive this information no later than July 18th. 3. For those cooking for our potluck dinner, you are welcome to use the kitchen and/or our front porch grill, which is fueled by a propane tank.

I wanted to run this idea by you:  your next ROP session falls on our Rooting and Rising, menopause in person retreat.  Anita, Kim, Ali, and Lisa will be at the retreat.  Since these are the women who tend to participate in our live sessions, and given that they were the ones lamenting that they will not be able to attend on July 19, I thought that if you agree and if you are available, we could have the session on Sunday July 13th 10-12PST instead.  

I wanted to run this idea by you:  your next ROP session falls on our Rooting and Rising, menopause in person retreat.  Anita, Kim, Ali, and Lisa will be at the retreat.  Since these are the women who tend to participate in our live sessions, and given that they were the ones lamenting that they will not be able to attend on July 19, I thought that if you agree and if you are available, we could have the session on Sunday July 13th 10-12PST instead.  

In our Rooting and Rising experiment, we purposefully highlight one of the 5 Elements each season, not because we view them as isolated, but to enhance our comprehension of each. We will dedicate an entire month at the conclusion of our 13-month program to explore how to transcend singularity and fully embrace the interconnectedness of Nature’s Five elemental qualities. For now, observe the various ways in which Fire operates within and through you today…

• What is the natural, healthy rhythm of your Heart? Recognize the signs when you are off-beat.
• Can you hear your Heart’s song? Embrace its melody. Don’t be surprised to catch its tune during everyday activities; your Heart thrives on improvisation, reflecting your essence in playful and creative ways.
• How do you stay connected to your Heart’s rhythm and song when the world around you feels “off”?

• What is the exhilarating, vibrant rhythm of your Heart? How can you truly sense when you’re dancing off-beat?
• Can you hear your Heart song?  How does it go?. Don’t be surprised if you hear it while doing the most mundane activities; the Heart loves to improvise, reflecting what is in the most playful and creative ways…
• How do you remain connected to your Heart rhythm and your Heart song when all around you feels “off”?

• What’s the natural, healthy rhythm of your Heart?  How do you know when you are off-beat?
• Can you hear your Heart song?  How does it go?. Don’t be surprised to catch its tune during everyday activities; the Heart thrives on improvisation, reflecting what is in the most playful and creative ways…
• How do you remain connected to your Heart rhythm and your Heart song when all around you feels “off”?

Feeling inspired to hum your Heart song? Share your audio recording with us on our vibrant community forum.

The Heart truly flourishes in the present moment, free from the weight of past experiences, no matter how difficult they may have been, and unburdened by worries of the future. Our Hearts possess a remarkable ability to adapt their rhythm to embrace the here and now, just as it is. This thoughtful Heart Presence meditation led by the compassionate Tara Brach can gently guide you into the sacred space of your Heart… Once there, take a moment to listen, listen to the whispers of your Heart:

The Heart thrives in the present moment, fully detached from past experiences, no matter how traumatic, and unconcerned about the future. Our Hearts possess an incredible capacity and remarkable pliability, effortlessly adjusting their beat to embrace the here and now. This Heart Presence meditation guided by teacher Tara Brach empowers you to access the inner circle of your Heart. Once there, take a moment to truly listen to your Heart.

Warmth and Illumination

Illuminated Essence (Ub 1)

When Fire Within is well and alive, the eyes shine with a radiance that reflects the purity of our Essential Nature. When Fire Within is vibrant and alive, our eyes radiate with a brilliance that unmistakably reflects the purity of our Essential Nature. This is clearly evident in children, animals, and plants. Consider Jing Ming – Illuminated Essence as eyes overflowing with the brightness of Spirit. There’s an ancient Chinese saying: “when the purity of Fire flourishes and flows, it illuminates the seas, and the eyes shine with the brilliance of the Sun and Moon.” How does Illumination flow through your eyes?

Location: this cave is located in a depression at the inner corner of the eye where the upper and the lower eyelids meet. To feel them, I recommend bringing your thumb knuckles to this area and resting your head on them, applying light pressure to the acu-points.

An Inner Surge of Warmth (He 9)

Shao Chong is the Wood point on the Heart (Fire) meridian. When wood is kindled on the fires of the energy of the Heart, there’s an inner rushing forth asking for simple yet sacred expressions such as cooking, love making or redecorating your living space. At this acupuncture cave station ask yourself: What is the state of your inner woodpile? 1. Has it dwindled to the point of reducing the creative expression of your Fire Element to coldness, lack of joy and compassion? 2. Has your Inner Fire grown out of control to the point of devouring your woodpile resources and threatening your need for a reliable and sustainable source of warmth? 3. Is the Wood within giving you enough of a push to open yourself to receive and offer warmth and illumination in sustainable ways?

A Sun filled Pool of Yang (SJ 4)

At this Sun filled Pool acu-cave, we can contact the right amount and quality of Warmth that we need at this particular moment. Imagine yourself bathing in pure, joyful, sunlight! If the Sun feels like too much for you at this stage in your monthly cycle, I invite you to fill your “pool” with Moonlight; especially in the next 2 weeks as we grow into the Full Moon. When we activate our Inner Pool of Yang energy, we can experience the wholeness and fullness in this reservoir of Fire, where we can find the kind of warmth we need.

Great Brightness (K 12)

In the cave of Great Brightness our Vital Energy is fired with Warmth and Illumination. By opening ourselves up to this Full, glorious Brightness within, we can again dance and spontaneously attract the Heat and Light from Heaven to illuminate and manifest our inherent fecundity. Like a hen who patiently offers her body warmth for her chicks to hatch, I invite you to activate your Great Brightness by applying warmth to the area above your womb. It needs to feel “right”, not too hot and not too cold. While enjoying the warmth, connect with what or who is still in the land of formless sensing their way into form… you are their vehicle into manifestation. If you use Moxibustion, apply until the skin turns slightly pink, not red!

As many of you know, the vast network of over 360 acu-caves in my body serve as my guides and inspiration. If you are feeling a yearning to activate Fire Within, I invite you to follow this link to dive into your inherent resources for Warmth and Illumination. You are in for a treat!

As many of you know, the over 360 acu-caves in my body serve as powerful guides and sources of inspiration. If you are ready to ignite the fire within, I highly encourage you to follow this link and tap into your innate resources for Warmth and Illumination. Prepare yourself for an incredible experience!

As many of you know, the vast network of over 360 acu-caves within my being serves as my profound guides and endless inspiration. If you yearn to ignite the fire within you, I wholeheartedly invite you to follow this link and embark on a transformative journey to uncover your innate resources for Warmth and Illumination. Prepare yourself for an exhilarating experience!

As many of you understand, the over 360 acu-caves within me serve as my guiding lights and sources of inspiration. If you’re looking to ignite that inner fire, I warmly invite you to follow this link to explore the abundant resources available for Warmth and Illumination. You truly deserve this enriching experience!

In the Taoist tradition, the more than 360 acu-caves within us serve as our guiding lights and sources of inspiration. If you’re feeling a yearning to ignite the fire within you, I warmly invite you to follow this link. It will lead you to explore your intrinsic resources for Warmth and Illumination. Trust me, you’re in for a wonderful experience!

As many of you know, the 360 remarkable acu-caves nestled within our bodies are not just guides but profound sources of inspiration. If you yearn to ignite the fierce fire within, I passionately urge you to follow this link and explore the limitless depths of your inherent resources for Warmth and Illumination. Prepare yourself for an extraordinary experience!

As discussed in our Wood Element module, beyond acupuncture needles, there are other equally powerful ways to activate your Acu-Caves including Essential oil blends and Flower Essences applied directly to the acupuncture points. Acupressure is also a very effective way to “touch” your caves into awareness. You can simply massage the acupuncture point or practice T Touch, the technique we explored when we awakened to Tai Chong last Spring. Here is a video in which Linda Tellington Jones explains a number of hand positions to T Touch your Acu-caves. You can also write a story to open the portals to Fire Within through the Caves described by the ancients. And, remember that your Intention to activate from within is always more than enough!

As discussed in our Wood Element module, beyond acupuncture needles, there are powerful methods to activate your Acu-Caves, including Essential oil blends and Flower Essences applied directly to the acupuncture points. Acupressure stands out as an exceptionally effective way to bring your caves into awareness; simply massage the acupuncture points or practice T Touch, a technique we explored during our awakening to Tai Chong. Here is a video featuring Linda Tellington Jones, who illustrates several hand positions to T Touch your Acu-Caves. Additionally, writing a story can open the portals to the Fire Within through the Caves described by the ancients. Remember, your intention to activate from within is more than enough!

Dear Collective, I trust this message finds you well and in harmony with our first Summer Crescent Moon. I wanted to share with you that on the weekend of July 19-20, our Rooting and Rising cohort for 2023-2024 will be holding an in-person Retreat. Given that many women from our current group will be attending, we have rescheduled our ROP session with Cynthia to SUNDAY, JULY 13, from 10am to 12pm, so that everyone can participate. Please note that there will be no live sessions on July 19. I am looking forward to seeing you this Saturday for our Living with the Elements adventure!

Dear Collective, I trust this message finds you well and in harmony with our first Summer Crescent Moon. I am excited to share that during the weekend of July 19-20, our Rooting and Rising cohort for 2023-2024 will come together for an in-person Retreat. Knowing that so many wonderful women from our current group will be joining us, we have thoughtfully rescheduled our ROP session with Cynthia to SUNDAY, JULY 13, from 10am to 12pm, so that everyone can take part. Please remember that there will be no live sessions on July 19. I can’t wait to connect with you this Saturday for our Living with the Elements adventure!

Very thoughtful of you to think of Rory this way! I am happy to hear that you are responding well to the herbal formula AND, most importantly, to your Self care practices.  I think that it could be a good idea for me to blend the same formula in powder form in preparation for the Retreat.  Altitude tends to elevate BP.  If you agree, I can blend enough herbs to last you until after the Retreat.  Let me know before Friday so I have it ready for when I see you next.

• Enchanting and persuasive, the Sorceress embraces her personal magnetism and the gift of expression to inspire groups of people to come together as one, joyfully uniting us in a vibrant expanse of vision and feeling.

The Creatrix

In the Spring season we visited with The Maiden within—young, filled with vibrant energy and boundless potential, a fiercely independent virgin, a woman onto herself. Just as our primordial follicles nurture an egg to maturity, The Maiden sows deep seeds of hope and vision, urging us to blossom into The Creatrix, She Who Makes. We all have the capacity to create but how we relate to this potential depends on our own awareness of our creative energy. The Creatrix archetype can help us connect with our creativity by reminding us that Creativity is not so much expressed in the product but rather in the process of giving form. It’s the giving of form to the experience of our inner selves in relation to the world around us, wether in tangible forms such as the creation of the conditions for a child to be born or crafting a work of art, or in a intangible forms such as an idea, a relationship, a dance. Creative energy finds expression through the intellect, the emotions, the intuition, the subconscious and the body. For me, the Greek term Meraki is a very helpful pointer towards where the Creative is within and around me. Meraki means creativity not necessarily in the literal translation of the term but in the spirit of it. It embodies the idea of doing something with soul, creativity, or love; it means weaving a piece of oneself into one’s work reflecting our true spirit and essence. Whether in art, cooking, love making, or any other expression of Fire Within, Meraki reminds us of the importance of pouring one’s heart and energy into what we do, making the process of creation as significant as the outcome.

Invitation: Go back to your Ikigai from our Spring season. What is or are your passions? How have you been “giving form” to the passion(s) that inform your “Reason for Being“? Can you feel Meraki pulsating in the act of creation? Are there any “Creations” that you feel are ready to become visible to the world? If so, we invite you to share your radiance with us on our Community Forum!

Artist Wendy Ward weaves a tapestry of inspiration through her Quilt stories, captivating us through The Creatrix as both muse and mentor. Discover the magic of her work here.

For all of you following the Archetypal Journey, ignite the power of the Creatrix and shape her into Form by embracing these simple guidelines!

Full Moon

The Full Moon is a monthly cosmic gift that rises when the Sun and the Moon dance in alignment on opposite sides of Earth. For about three days, approximately 100% of the Moon’s face radiates with the brilliance of the Sun, enveloping the entire side facing us in a luminous bath of light. The Moon is a mirror. The Sun illuminates the Moon. What are we looking at when we look up at the Moon?… We look at the reflection of the Sun from across the Universe. The Moon receives and reflects Sun Light; she does not generate her own light. For the next 3 Full Moon days, I invite us to look into the Moon to see the reflection of our Inner Sun, the Heart. Give yourself permission to receive the “reflecting” gift of the Moon by rooting ourselves in this present moment: HERE and NOW, aware of our Heart beating and shining honesty, clarity and radiance onto the receiving mirror of the Full Moon. What do you sense when you feel your Heart Light reflected on the Moon? Here are some ideas to Sun-Heart-Moon portal:

The Full Moon is a monthly cosmic gift that rises when the Sun and the Moon dance in alignment on opposite sides of Earth. For about three magical days, approximately 100% of the Moon’s face shines brightly with the brilliance of the Sun, enveloping the entire side facing us in a radiant bath of light. The Moon acts as a mirror, she effortlessly receives and reflects Sun Magic from across the Universe; she does not create her own light. For the next 3 Full Moon days, I invite us to look into the Moon to see the reflection of our Inner Sun, the Heart. Give yourself permission to embrace the “reflecting” gift of the Moon by grounding in this present moment: HERE and NOW, aware of your Heart beating and shining honesty, clarity, and radiance onto the welcoming mirror of the Full Moon. What do you sense when you feel your Heart Light reflected on the Moon? Here are some inspiring ideas to explore the Sun-Heart-Moon portal:

The Full Moon is a powerful cosmic event that rises when the Sun and the Moon align on opposite sides of Earth. For three extraordinary days, nearly 100% of the Moon’s surface radiates with the brilliance of the Sun, enveloping the entire side facing us in a vibrant glow. The Moon serves as a mirror, effortlessly reflecting Sun Magic from across the Universe; she does not generate her own light. Over the course of the next three Full Moon days, I encourage you to gaze into the Moon to seek the reflection of your Inner Sun, your Heart. Honor the “reflecting” gift of the Moon by grounding yourself in this present moment: HERE and NOW, fully aware of your Heart beating and shining with honesty, clarity, and radiance upon the receptive mirror of the Full Moon. What do you perceive when you feel your Heart Light reflected on the Moon? Here are some inspiring ideas to delve into the Sun-Heart-Moon portal:

Here are some ideas to walk you into Sun-Heart-Moon portal: 1. When the Full Moon rises, connect with her luminosity and mirroring gift through the practice of this simple and powerful Qi Gong movement. 2. Gaze at the refection of the Full Moon in a bowl of water and allow any and all impressions or insights float across your consciousness without edits. Try to go to bed shortly after to bring these impressions with you into Dreamtime. 3. Simply look at the Full Moon long enough until she “looks back at you”. Allow lunar- inspired intuition to ripple into the artistic expression that is your life through writing, song, drawing or any other mediums you feel attracted to explore as you connect with the fullness of reflected Sun Light.

Here are some ideas to guide you into Sun-Heart-Moon portal: 1. When the Full Moon rises, connect with her luminosity and mirroring gift through the practice of this simple and powerful Qi Gong movement. 2. Gaze into the reflection of the Full Moon in a bowl of water, letting any impressions or insights gently flow across your consciousness without any edits. You might find it inspiring to head to bed shortly after, bringing these impressions into your Dreamtime. 3. Take a few moments to look at the Full Moon until she “looks back at you.” Embrace the lunar-inspired intuition that bubbles up, allowing it to enrich the artistic expression of your life through writing, song, drawing, or any other medium that calls to you as you connect with the Fullness of reflected Sun-Light.

4. Feeling called to go for walk with the Full Moon? Olivia Fern’s Moon Song can give you a healthy nudge into the bright night

Are you sensing the inspiring call of the Full Moon inviting you to embrace her light and walk alongside her?

4. Are you feeling inspired to stroll beneath the radiant Full Moon? Olivia Fern’s Moon Song can provide you with a cheerful boost, inviting you to embrace the beauty of the bright night ahead!

Emptiness at the center of the Heart

(Thea on He 6…).

From this point onward, the keeping the balance of internal and external reality becomes vitally important. Here are so many words and perceptions coming from the outside, which can overwhelm the sovereignty of our own Heart awareness from the inside. We need to be able to receive from the outside with enough space to avoid any sense of chaos or overwhelm on the inside. Can I hold Heart void space within which to meet the perceptions? Can I recognize what is going on externally, and receive it in spaciousness rather than drown in it? With the opening up the void of the Heart, all these of perceptions can come streaming in, and as the light from the outside meets the light from the inside, the light from the inside is great enough and empty enough that we are not overwhelmed. Within that sense of chaos everywhere, within the sense of trying to restore order and control, HT 6 YIN XI supports the immediate expansion of the radiant void, so as to be able to have an inner ‘open space’ within all the activity, a whirlpool of peace in the midst of daily life. Can I read an article or watch a video, think about what it is telling me, while holding an open Heart void of peace within? The Xi Cleft of the Heart is not about the swirling chong; it’s about the whirlpool in the middle of all that the chong. It’s about more fully opening that whirlpool. How big can we make this void in the midst of chong? Can we make the void even wider? Can we make it even wider? That’s the Xi Cleft of the Heart. Silent and Spacious.

As we explored in our latest Living with the Elements session, the Fire element corresponds to Summer and its organ is the Heart. The Chinese character for Heart depicts an empty bowl that is open at the top and surrounded by fire.  The emptiness at the center can be seen as a void, a space of pure potentiality, that houses the creative, intangible sparks of Spirit that come to us at the moment of conception, directly from the stars. The awareness of a spacious Center is crucial in times when the chaotic “hot mess” of the world around us threatens to overwhelm the inner sovereignty of our Heart. The more spacious we are at Heart center, the wider we open up the radiant void of the Heart, allowing us to receive from the outside with enough space to avoid any sense of chaos or overwhelm on the inside. Can you hold Heart void space within which to meet the world outside of you? Can you recognize what is going on externally, and receive it in spaciousness rather than drown in it? With the opening up the void of the Heart, all these of perceptions can come streaming in, and as the light from the outside meets the light from the inside, the light from the inside is great enough and empty enough that we are not overwhelmed. supports the immediate expansion of the radiant void, so as to be able to have an inner ‘open space’ within all the activity, In this recorded mediation, my dear friend and Chi Gong teacher Barbara Wolff will guide you to practice inner “open space” amidst all activity, a whirlpool of peace in the midst of daily life.

As we explored in our latest Living with the Elements session, the Fire element corresponds to Summer and its organ is the Heart. The Chinese character for Heart depicts an empty bowl that is open at the top and surrounded by fire.  The emptiness at the center can be seen as a void, a space of pure potentiality, that houses the creative, intangible sparks of Spirit that come to us at the moment of conception, directly from the stars. The awareness of a spacious Center is crucial in times when the chaotic “hot mess” of the world around us threatens to overwhelm the inner sovereignty of our Heart. The more spacious we are at Heart center, the wider we open up the radiant void of the Heart, allowing us to receive from the outside with enough space to avoid any sense of chaos or overwhelm on the inside. Can you hold Heart void space within which to meet the world outside of you? Can you recognize what is going on externally, and receive it in spaciousness rather than drown in it? With the opening up the void of the Heart, all these of perceptions can come streaming in, and as the light from the outside meets the light from the inside, the light from the inside is great enough and empty enough that we are not overwhelmed. supports the immediate expansion of the radiant void, so as to be able to have an inner ‘open space’ within all the activity, In this recorded mediation, my dear friend and Chi Gong teacher Barbara Wolff will guide you to practice inner “open space” amidst all activity, a whirlpool of peace in the midst of daily life.

As we discussed in our recent Living with the Elements session, the Chinese character for Heart evokes the image of an empty bowl that is open at the top, encircled by dancing flames.  This central emptiness is not just a void; it is a radiant space that holds the fiery, intangible Sparks of Spirit that arrive at the moment of conception, directly from the cosmos. The awareness of a spacious Center is crucial in times when the chaotic “hot mess” of the world around us threatens to overwhelm our inner sovereignty. The more we cultivate inner spaciousness, the more we can expand the radiant void of the Heart, enabling us to meet as opposed to succumb to the happenings outside. Can you hold Heart-void space within which to meet the world outside of you? Can you recognize what is going on externally, and receive it in spaciousness rather than drown in it? In this recorded mediation, my dear friend and Chi Gong teacher Barbara Wolff will guide you to practice inner “open space” amidst all activity, creating a whirlpool of peace in the midst of daily life. May you bask in Heart radiance!

Dear Barbara, thank you for agreeing to share your magical recording! Below is a copy of the email that I will send out tomorrow. I trust that James will continue to find his way with his mom and that you, my friend, continue to receive the gifts that your 97 years old mamma may be offering from the Land of the In Between… Sending much care your way and hoping that we can meet soon for a chat over Zoom.

Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh captured the essence of Speaking from the Heart in his book The Art of Communicating. He reminds us that the way we communicate profoundly shapes our enduring presence in this world, even after we transition to the no-form. Have you ever considered the unique Heart Signature legacy you wish to leave behind? If you’re curious, here is a short excerpt from the book.

Speaking from the Heart. In Chinese Medicine, the tongue is seen as the sprout of the Heart, an essential link between our inner selves and the outer world. The eight muscles that form your tongue, approximately 10 cm long, allow it to gracefully shift into countless shapes and positions. These beautiful transformations enable your tongue to lengthen, shorten, curl, flatten, and round, all of which help you express yourself, enjoy nourishing food, and communicate. Covered in thousands of taste buds, your tongue plays a crucial role in assessing what serves your wellbeing and what may be harmful, including your thoughts. As you find yourself in this moment, imagine a gentle thread of Light connecting your Heart to your tongue. Feel how each heartbeat offers guidance to your tongue, shaping it in a way that allows your Heart’s Voice to flow freely through the words you are about to share with others and yourself. You may discover that in the presence of your Heart, you simply breathe, and the sound emerges.

• What does your Heart’s voice sound like? 
• What does your voice feel like when you speak or sing from your Heart-Mind? 

In my opinion, Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh beautifully captured the essence of Speaking from the Heart in his book The Art of Communicating. He reminds us that the way we communicate deeply shapes our enduring presence in this world, even after we transition to the no-form. Have you ever considered the unique Heart Signature legacy you wish to leave behind? If you’re curious, here is a short excerpt from the book.

Looking deeply into Heart Signature…

Yamin

In Chinese Medicine, we see the tongue as the sprout of the Heart. The eight muscles that make up your tongue, which by the way is about 10 cm long, give it the ability to contort into endless arrays of shapes and postures. “[these shapes] allow your tongue to lengthen, shorten, curl, flatten, and round, and they provide shape to assist in speaking, eating, and swallowing”*. Thousands of taste buds cover the surface of your tongue, enabling you to assess whether what you are about to eat is in service to your wellbeing or if it is poisonous (thoughts included). Each taste bud acts as a tiny guardian, helping you make the right choices that nourish both body and spirit, reinforcing the intimate connection between what you ingest and how you feel.

Wherever you are right now, feel a thread of Light that connects your Heart to your tongue. Visualize this radiant thread as a conduit of energy that flows freely between the two, transmitting the vital wisdom of your Heart directly to your tongue. Feel how every heartbeat informs your tongue about the shape it needs to take to stream your Heart’s Voice through the words that you are about to gift to others and to yourself. Each syllable spoken becomes a manifestation of this profound connection, resonating with authenticity and love. You may realize that in your Heart’s presence, you just breathe and the sound comes out as if guided by an invisible hand, weaving together your emotions, thoughts, and intentions into harmonious expressions that uplift everyone around you.

• What does your Heart’s voice sound like? 
• What does your voice feel like when you speak or sing from your Heart-Mind? 

In my opinion, Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh beautifully captured the essence of Speaking from the Heart in his book The Art of Communicating. He reminds us that the way we communicate deeply shapes our enduring presence in this world, even after we transition to the no-form. Have you ever considered the unique Heart Signature legacy you wish to leave behind? If you’re curious, here is a short excerpt from the book.

Looking deeply into Heart Signature…

Yamin

In Chinese Medicine, we see the tongue as the sprout of the Heart, the vessel through which the Heart can communicate with others. The eight muscles that make up your tongue, which by the way is about 10 cm long, give it the ability to contort into endless arrays of shapes and postures, allowing your tongue to lengthen, shorten, curl, flatten and round, and they provide shape to assist in speaking, eating and swallowing. On top of these essential qualities for communication and wellbeing, thousands of taste buds cover the surface of your tongue so you can assess whether what you are about to eat is in service to your wellbeing or if it is poisonous (thoughts included). Each taste bud acts as a tiny guardian, helping you make the right choices that both nourish and give voice to your Heart.

In Chinese Medicine, the tongue is seen as the sprout of the Heart, the vessel that shapes Heart-Voice. The eight muscles that make up your tongue, approximately 10 cm long, grant it the incredible ability to contort into endless arrays of shapes and postures, allowing it to lengthen, shorten, curl, flatten, and round, providing the right shape for speaking, eating, and swallowing. Beyond these essential qualities for communication and wellbeing, thousands of taste buds cover the surface of your tongue, helping you savor and evaluate what you are about to eat and say!. Each taste bud serves as a tiny guardian, guiding you to make the right choices that truly speak your Heart.

In Chinese Medicine, the tongue is seen as the sprout of the Heart, the vessel that shapes Heart-Voice. The eight muscles that make up your tongue, approximately 10 cm long, grant it the incredible ability to contort into endless arrays of shapes and postures, allowing it to lengthen, shorten, curl, flatten, and round, providing the right shape for speaking, eating, and swallowing. Beyond these essential qualities for communication and wellbeing, thousands of taste buds cover the surface of your tongue, helping you savor and evaluate what you are about to eat and say!. Each taste bud serves as a tiny guardian, guiding you to make the right choices that truly speak your Heart.

Listening

The Chinese characters that make up the word “to listen” has both Heart and Brain Minds at its foundation.  Listening from Heart space requires our undivided attention to the feeling conveyed through the sound waves, and the silence, that our brain translates into words.  Unlike hearing, listening doesn’t just happen, it is a conscious practice.  “To listen” is an action statement and an act of discernment. It is our responsibility to filter out all the noise that is not in service to the Heart; in other words, we need not feed the heart with poison to be a “good” listener but rather, discern the purest essences, the thing that will bring us closer to Heart~feeling.

The Chinese characters that form the phrase “to listen” are fundamentally anchored in both Heart and Brain Minds. Listening from the Heart requires our full, undivided attention to the feelings conveyed through sound waves and the silence that our brains translate into words. Unlike hearing, listening is an intentional practice; it doesn’t just happen. “To listen” embodies a decisive action statement and an essential act of discernment. It is our duty to filter out all noise that does not serve the Heart; we do not need to poison our hearts to be “good” listeners. Instead, we focus on discerning the purest essences that bring us closer to Heart~feeling. Healing begins the moment we place our Heart at the center of our listening. This proactive stance inherently carries “medicine” for those we listen to. As many of you know, Council is my go-to practice for Listening and Speaking from the Heart. I encourage you to immerse yourself in the insights of my dear friend and Council facilitator, Leon Berg, in his Ted Talk on The Power of Listening within the framework of the Council Practice. If you seek to amplify your listening capacity, simply follow this link to activate an Acu-cave and awaken The Listening Palace.

I recently saw a play called “Noises Off” that truly helped me reconnect with belly-laughter. The Old Globe Theatre was packed with mostly an elder audience. I was sitting next to a beautiful elder woman dressed in what appeared to be her best clothes. She looked regal and dignified with a twinkle in her eyes that did not match the rather serious outfit. After nearly 2 minutes after the play started, i surprised myself and my dear husband with a giggle. I am known for my slowness to catch a joke; my go-to-identity being:serious, deep, reflexive and not very gregarious. What I was not expecting is that 10 min into this 2.5hrs play I was not only laughing my insides out but that the contagious warmth of laughter rippled through the audience in such way that the dignified lady sitting next to me ended up holding my hands and transferring her laughter as a ripple through my body. I had no idea that warmth and laughter could bind us in such a profound and simple way! Today, scientific research supports what Chinse Medicine understood for millennia: that joy is the emotion of the Heart, and laughter its medicine.  When we smile and when we laugh, we release endorphins, also known as the “feel good” neurotransmitter which contagiously forms social bonds; that’s why when someone starts laughing, others will laugh even if they’re not sure what everyone is laughing about.  Joy and laughter that comes from the Heart connect us within and to others beyond language. How ridiculous are you?
 
The next time you see yourself in the mirror, practice making some funny faces.
 
One of the best ways to help ourselves and others melt away joy-shyness is to be goofy, ridiculous, and even awkward together.  Explore: where else in your life can you be a bit silly, besides alone in the mirror?  Who else in your life might be pleasantly surprised if you turned out to have a sense of humor, and a sense of play?

I recently saw a wonderful play called “Noises Off” that helped me reconnect with the joyful art of belly-laughter. The Old Globe Theatre was filled with a primarily elder audience, creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere. I sat beside a beautiful elder woman who was dressed in what seemed to be her finest attire. She looked regal and dignified, and the twinkle in her eyes added an unexpected charm to her serious outfit. Shortly after the play began, I found myself sharing a spontaneous giggle with my husband, which surprised us both. I’m usually known for taking my time to catch jokes; my typical persona leans towards serious, deep, and rather reflective. But to my delight, within just ten minutes of this 2.5-hour play, I was laughing heartily, and the contagious warmth of laughter spread through the audience so beautifully that the dignified lady next to me took my hands and shared her laughter with me. It was a lovely reminder that warmth and laughter can truly connect us in profound and simple ways! Today, scientific research supports what Chinese Medicine has cherished for centuries: joy is an essential emotion of the Heart, and laughter is its wonderful medicine. When we smile and laugh, we release endorphins, often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, creating social bonds that enrich our lives; that’s why laughter is so infectious—when one person laughs, others join in, often without needing to know the reason! Joy and laughter that come from the Heart connect us not just within ourselves but also to others, transcending language.

The next time you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, take a moment to practice making some funny faces!

One of the best ways to help ourselves and others dissolve shame and shyness is to embrace the goofy, the ridiculous, and even the adorably awkward—together! Think about where else in your life you can share a bit of silliness, besides in front of the mirror. Who else might be pleasantly surprised to discover your delightful sense of humor and playful spirit?

Last night, I attended a play called “Noises Off” that reignited my love for belly-laughter. The Old Globe Theatre was jam-packed with an audience that looked like they just stepped out of a middle-age time travel machine (with an occasional elder, of course!). I found myself cozied up next to a stunning elderly woman who appeared to be dressed for a royal gala, complete with a twinkle in her eye that seemed to scream, “I’m not just here for the ambiance!” About two minutes into the show, to my husband’s surprise, I let out a giggle that echoed like a magnificent symphony in a serious cathedral. Now, I’m notoriously slow to catch a joke; my usual identity leans toward serious, deep, and somewhat hermit-like. But would you believe that just ten minutes into this wild 2.5-hour spectacle, I was not only roaring with laughter but felt some kind of contagious joy radiating through the audience? That dignified lady next to me took my hands, and suddenly it was like we were in a laughter relay race! Last night, I finally experience what Traditional Chinese Medicine has known for centuries: joy is a heart emotion, and laughter is the ultimate medicine. When we laugh, we unleash endorphins, those delightful little “feel-good” neurotransmitters that create social bonds, making it nearly impossible for anyone to resist joining in the giggle-fest, even if they have no clue what’s so funny. Joy and laughter that spring from the heart connect us like a cozy blanket or a secret handshake that goes beyond words. My mom is the kind of woman who shows no shyness when it comes to expressing Joy through laughter, and this is a type of laughter that is contagious… she can make a room full of people laugh just by laughing! As a teenager, I though that her laughter was not cool, I actually felt shame of her laughing. Later in life, aware of the limited identity that i had taken on, I found goofiness as my antidote to seriousness and although I am not by any means a Laugh master like my mother, I can say that daring to be ridiculous has paved the road for the medicine of laughter to pull me out of seriousness-misery.

I recently saw a play called “Noises Off” that reignited my appreciation for belly-laughter. The Old Globe Theatre was packed with an enthusiastic audience of mostly middle age to elder people. I was sitting next to a stunning elder dressed for a royal gala, her twinkle of excitement radiating the message, “I’m here to enjoy every moment!” Just two minutes into the show, to my surprise, a giggle came out of my body filling the air all around me. Now, I’m notoriously slow to catch a joke; my usual identity leans toward serious, deep, and somewhat hermit-like so it came as a surprise to me and to my husband, when just ten minutes into this captivating 2.5-hour spectacle, I was not only roaring with laughter but also feeling a wave of contagious joy flowing through the audience! That dignified lady next to me took my hands, and it felt like we were in an exhilarating laughter relay race! That night, I finally experienced what Traditional Chinese Medicine has known for centuries: joy is the emotion of the Heart, and laughter is the ultimate medicine. When we laugh, we unleash endorphins, those delightful little “feel-good” neurotransmitters that create social bonds, making it nearly impossible for anyone to resist joining in the giggle-fest, even if they aren’t quite sure what’s so funny. Joy and laughter from the heart connect us like a warm blanket or a special handshake that transcends words. My mom is the kind of woman who radiates joy through her laughter, and it’s truly contagious… she has the magical ability to make a room full of people laugh simply by listening to her laughter. As a teenager, I thought this expression of joy wasn’t cool, and I often felt embarrassed by it. Later in life, aware of the limited identity that i had taken on, I found goofiness as my antidote to seriousness and although I am not by any means a Laugh master like my mother, I can say that daring to be ridiculous has paved the road for the medicine of laughter to pull me out of the depths of seriousness-misery.

The next time you see yourself in the mirror, practice making some funny faces.
 
One of the best ways to help ourselves and others melt away joy-shyness is to be goofy, ridiculous, and even awkward together.  Explore: where else in your life can you be a bit silly, besides alone in the mirror?  Who else in your life might be pleasantly surprised if you turned out to have a sense of humor, and a sense of play?

Healing Heart

Sometimes our nervous system, known in Chinese medicine as “the Wires of the Heart” is on overdrive, creating too much noise and static. This simple sequence using a soft foam roller can help you harmonize your nerves for our Heart to do what it knows best: to beat healing energy in this very present moment.

Sometimes our nervous system, known in Chinese medicine as “the Wires of the Heart” is on overdrive, creating too much noise and static. This simple sequence using a soft foam roller can help you harmonize your nerves for our Heart to do what it knows best: to beat healing energy in this very present moment.