Waking up, making coffee, and heading to my altar, I feel overwhelming gratitude for the blessings of these practices. It’s a gift to be on this journey– on my own, with my partner who sometimes can connect to practice with me, with this group of spiritual seekers. It is a blessing to have living/loving teachers who stand as guides in support of our awakening.

As I light this candle, I feel my bones and sense your commitment to lighting your candle; I think about seekers all around the world and through all time— an embodied sense of interconnectedness as I ignite this flame and speak the invocation. We’re following in the footsteps of our lineage caravan.

During my meditation today, I focused on the phrase ‘Toward the One – United with All’  and switched my usual breath pattern. Instead of inhaling pointing out– Toward the One, I breathe inward– Toward the One, and invisible hands embrace my heart– front and back pressing inward, inviting me to integrate more fully into myself. A glowing thread of awareness points me to the phrase, ‘The Embodiment of the Master.’ the call to move toward mastery… a long way to go, but that’s the invitation.

For my exhale, I reach outward ‘United with All,’ and an echo comes resonating back to me, the phrase, ‘United with All the Illuminated Souls.’

Gifted a sense of protection, I extend and reach beyond my home, city, and planet… beyond, beyond the beyond– to the all-pervading life in space. And remember, I am a speck of life in a gigantic universe, embodying this heart, mind, and soul.

As I finish meditation and enter the busy day, I try to hold on in remembrance of these momentary awarenesses.

Good thing it’s a year-long training +++