11 04, 2023

A Divine Inner Flash

By |2023-04-11T06:49:02-04:00April 11th, 2023|Author - Tarana Wesley|0 Comments

A Divine Inner Flash(a lifetime in the unfurling).
It’s more of an unfurling than an unfolding, the Soul. I picture a chameleon’s tail spiraling at will…
As I was doing walking practice with Toward the One on the breath in the delicious cold spring air moving in and out like the sweetest nectar I had the epiphany of my lifelong ability to spiral inward into a depth unimaginable to the rational self. I realized in that moment there was NoThing stopping my soul from spiraling outward in that moment of Being in the One. In that very revelation a fully emerged Tiger Swallowtail brushed by me in the sunshine!

25 02, 2023

‘Toward the One, United With All’

By |2023-02-26T16:47:20-05:00February 25th, 2023|Author - Shakti|0 Comments

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 +++

1 02, 2023

‘God is Breath’ Reflection

By |2023-02-01T14:08:29-05:00February 1st, 2023|Author - Dahlia Sura|0 Comments

We thought it would be nice to create a place for our prayer circle to share contemplations, experiences, questions, etc. as we go through ‘God is Breath’ together. If you feel inspired to share a writing, poetry, or artwork send it to Shakti and she’ll add it to this page. And please feel free to comment below.

I’ll start by sharing what is drawing me (Dahlia Sura) to participate in ‘God is Breath’ at this time and what I hope to gain from these practices.

I’ve been an active meditator (and meditation counselor) for more than forty years. In the past several years I’ve been noticing that I am increasingly more distractible. It’s harder to stay focused and my concentration just isn’t as good as it used to be. Ah, the aging brain.

I know that the best solution to this jumpy, scattered mind-state is to practice more concentration/focus. So, this ‘God is Breath’ course is a perfect opportunity for me right now. I’m looking forward to both the daily, structured practices and to the support and encouragement that is inherent in our Sangha.

When I look back at the past year I can see the great benefit I got from attending the SAMA Sufi Sesshins. The alternating format of doing a dance/practice and then sitting quietly in meditation really works well for me. I’ve been taking that format into my daily life by interspersing whatever activities I have on my to-do list with stopping for periods of quiet focus on the breath. I intend to use the practices from our classes in this way.

My grandchildren were with me for an overnight on Saturday and they slept upstairs, in their own bed, for the first time. As I lay in my bed waiting for the next time that Leif, my 3 ½ year-old grandson, would awaken to call for me, I felt and sang the wazifa, Ya Raqib. It was such a beautiful, living experience of the watchful, loving awareness that we are practicing together.

How about you? Why are you here? What do you hope/intend to strengthen or let go of? Let’s evoke (bring voice to) our intentions.