One Mystical Monkey

So, for one reason or another, I’ve missed yoga for the last week, and now my body is screaming “Go to yoga! I feel all squished and crampy and … just not riiiight!”. So it’s back to yoga I go, hoping the remnants of a head cold don’t land me on my face in the middle of class during ‘tree’ pose or something. I’ve been getting used to Spirit yelling at me lately, and this new twist of having the body yell about missing a couple yoga classes is a bit of a shock. We get messages like this all the time, though -whether physical or metaphysical- and generally speaking, there’s some truth to what is being ’said’. (Hint: If it’s your body yelling for junk food or you’re getting angry and frustrated at something, it’s probably not what you need to be doing… *wink*).

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Yesterday, I posted that it is time for humanity to take the next step towards our spiritual evolution. Welcome to part 2! *wink*

Metaphorically, flight has always intrigued mankind. For a long time, it was something for which to strive - it sparked our imaginations, our creativity, our bravery, inventiveness and ingenuity. And eventually, with the help of tools and machines, we gained the skies. Flight speaks of freedom, of ascent, of a breaking with the physical. It conjures images of angels and light, of strength and higher self. In many ways, it defies definition or description. But it exists nonetheless. And once more, it is time for humanity to reach for flight; this time however, the flight is of a not-so-physical sort.

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Lately, I’ve been getting messages (lots of messages, in various forms) that it’s time to take the next step. It’s time to fly… to soar… to remove the tethers binding us to the physical plane of illusion that is all too real for so many of us. It is time to reclaim our more natural state of energy, of spirit, of goodness. It is time for the natural (re-)evolution of Spirit - a return to truth.

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Eeeep! It seems that perhaps the Mystical Monkey is being Mysterious and piquing some curiosity in the process! I’ve been tagged by Water Learner to post seven random facts about myself.

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A couple unexpected days, removed from the usual surroundings, the normal responsibilities, the routine pace of living. An opportunity to unwind, to relax, to go at one’s own pace, without schedule or responsibility or distraction from… being. A leisurely walk along the shore reveals a hot day with a gentle breeze. A trio of local artists sketch and paint watercolors at the edge of the road, overlooking a dock and a barely-standing shack, elevated high above the water on stilts. Listen to the soft lapping of the water against the beach and watch as tiny crabs scurry away from the vibrations of your unhurried steps in the sand…

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A dream, from which I was abruptly awoken… A lush green, largely deciduous forest, gently cultivated and civilized - without burden on the natural beauty and surroundings. Timeless. Ancient. Familiar. Loved. Softly curving, foot-worn pathways and hints of red and orange and bright fuschia wildflowers growing in clumps beneath a slowly-turning, early-autumn evening sky. A small village looms beyond the visible tree-line, at the edge of the further path through the paddock, currently home to three happy, grazing goats. Here is the Wise-woman’s tent. Slightly removed from the center of daily activity, it is perfectly situated to her position. She is revered in the village. Honored. Respected. Loved. A warm, inviting glow comes from within the tent. Entering, the tent is lit and comfortable. Orange and a comfortable red are predominant colors - in the tent, in the lighting. Warm. Inviting. Comfortable. Familiar. She sits at a covered table, scrying. Long, dark brown hair adorned with charms and tokens of affection, and softly sun-kissed skin, she is not old. A warm-toned blanket wraps her against the slight chill. There is a sense of knowing. Of power. Of seeing. … A message. Delivered. Received.

Om.
Namaste.
Thank you.

*original artwork (c) One Mystical Monkey. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or use my image without my explicit prior written approval. Thank you.

“Money makes the world go round”

Unfortunately, there’s some truth to this. Without going into a political rant, wars have been (& are being) fought over what amounts to money, people are raised to political and corporate office based largely on the amount of money they have and can raise. Local, National and International policy gets decided upon and put into place based on fiscal influence. Quality of life is determined (to a large degree) upon fiscal prowess and cultural/self esteem is determined by… yep, money, and the things that money can buy. Success of films, musicals, theater, and art are based on the money they bring in at the box office - not on their moral merit, not on the message of the piece, not on any other aesthetic or ethical qualities they may have. Money. Money. MONEY.

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Distraction!
Stray thoughts!
Untamed emotion!
Physical responsibility!
Push - Pull
Pull - Push
Tugging…
Away.

Calm,
Truth,
Centered within.
Untouched,
Uncorrupted,
Surrounded by the ripples
Of a stone
Cast again and again
Into the pool of Self,
Into the pool of One.

Eventually,
Ripples cease,
Absorbed
By the depths of the pool
And calm,
Returns to the surface,
Reflecting outward once more.

Do not forget the stone
Which once thrown
Disrupts the surface,
But sinks,
Absorbed ,
Transformed
By the depths.

*Original poem, One Mystical Monkey, 21 June 2007. All rights reserved.

*Breathe… in… out… in… out…* Ooh! My stomach just grumbled! What should I make for dinner tonight? I wish the kids weren’t so picky about what they eat… Ooops!- Thinking! *Breathe… in… out… in… out…*

That’s all there is to it, really, for a simple meditation exercise. It doesn’t seem too difficult, does it? But how often do we really take the 10 or 15 minutes once or twice a day just to focus on our breath, calming our thoughts, body, and nervous system in the process? Unless you’ve made a regular habit of meditating and have incorporated it into your daily routine, chances are there’s not a whole lot of meditating going on (now why does that remind me of a song? ). Shake up your world by sitting still and doing… nothing?

Ok, so it’s not exactly “nothing”, but rather an intentional focus on a single thought (in this case, your breath), providing an opportunity to reclaim the natural peaceful, restful state for mind (and body). With practice, we gain a better understanding of our own minds, and discover those things which preoccupy our thoughts and emotions. And with that self-awareness, we may even realize the decisions and changes to make in our lives to rid ourselves of some of those disturbances, and reclaim the energy and focus we are otherwise robbed of by that constant, subconscious chattering.

For more information, and other, specific meditation techniques, please visit the following sites (two of my favorites):
Shambhala Buddhanet

May you find peace in your practice.
Namaste.

Picture this: An SUV truck, traveling on the road, the back of which is covered with bumper stickers touting liberal political commentary and environmental awareness / protection. Very likely, the type of person driving this vehicle that comes to mind is somebody interested in peace and protection and some level of self- and Earth-awareness, right? Well, not according to his driving decisions! This person was tailgating an elderly couple in a little car, trying his best to exert his will over them and basically threatening to run them over physically if they didn’t comply. His intent and ego were palpable… and quite contrary to the beliefs stated (or at the very least, implied) by his stickers.

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