Archive
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: How’s That Planning Thing Going for You?
We can plan. We can organize. We can expect. And then Life Happens.
Have you ever had a plan, had everything organized down to the tiniest detail, and set your expectations on that plan working out exactly as you planned it? And have you had the experience of having little or big glitches shift things out of Plan A?
We have all had this experience. We THINK we are in charge of everything but the Universe sometimes (or often) has a different plan and guess who succeeds?
This isn’t about whether or not you should develop a plan of action to accomplish something. It’s good to have a plan. But do you become so invested in YOUR plan that you forget the ‘this or something better’ part of your request to the Universe? There is a value in learning to go with the flow.
We saw this with the birth of our grandson. His parents had Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and the baby decided to be born on HIS schedule, the way HE wanted to come into the world, with HIS CHOSEN astrological birth chart. He was born the day that a surprise baby shower had been planned for his Mommy. The surprise was his appearance in the world 3 ½ weeks early!
What plans have you developed that have seemed to go awry? How do you react when that happens?
Remember that the formula is:
Event happens. Then you React. And then you CHOOSE how you will respond.
Event (Plan seems to go awry). What is your REACTION? Anger? Upset? Depression? Denial? So many different emotions can arise and they can stem from previous experiences, even from your childhood. Reactions start at the unconscious level. But your RESPONSE is chosen consciously.
Do you allow your reaction to dictate your response? Or do you hit the pause button and give yourself a chance to consciously choose how you will respond? This is how you live a conscious life.
Babies choose how and when they will come into the world. Most of us accept that they have a plan of their own. But what about other plans that don’t go the way you want them to, or planned them, or expected? What if another person interferes with your plans? What do you do then?
Remember that you CHOOSE how to respond. You can choose to get upset and to stay upset but that isn’t a very resourceful place to be. Even if you do get upset, you can decide to respond by figuring out a new plan, to go with the flow.
Do you plan differently in your work than at home? Are you flexible in the workplace to get along with others but you are rigid at home because you want things to be just the way you intend for them to be? Notice if you operate differently and then ask yourself, ‘Why?’ Sometimes it is easier to adjust plans in the workplace because you are not emotionally invested in them and you are resourceful when you are in ‘work mode.’ But when you are at home, with the family or in a social setting, you might have stronger expectations that you have control over your life. Can you go with the flow? Are you willing to work on Plan B or Plan C?
If you are the opposite – going with the flow outside of work but expecting everyone around you at work to line up with your plan – what could you gain by adding some flexibility to your methods? What if Plan A was the goal but Plan B was also OK?
Think about this the next time you decide that your plans must go exactly as you arranged them. Those creative babies might have a mind of their own!
This or something better.
ROSEMARY’S INSPIRATION: Big News: Tristan Wallace Bredeson is on the Planet!
Rosemary’s “Two-Minute” Video for this Week: Big News: Tristan Wallace Bredeson is on the Planet!
MONDAY’S POEM: Connection
The theme I started today’s poem with is “Connection.” I am feeling connected. The last several days have been all about connection: from our trip south, connecting along with way with family and friends, to the event we attended with Red Elephant and connecting with the “herd” at the Stand, Speak and Profit program, to the Ashram, Amrit Yoga Institute and yoga practice, and now prepared to return “home” – to reconnect. The Big Connect for these days is to the future – our newest grandson, Tristan, who brings a new light into the world! Can I summarize all of these delicious feelings in a poem?
Connection
I like the feeling of the word.
I like the sense of it –
The two “ns” in the middle
Are connectors –
Like twins holding hands
Across the word.
I like the feel of the “co”
Within the breath –
A catch in the throat and
A soft exhalation.
Across the “ns” we connect
With the click
In the throat and
With the tongue.
Another quieting sound
Of the breath moving to the close
Of the word
With the trailing n.
Connection.
We are all looking for connection.
And as with all things conscious
The connection begins within.
There is no outer; we create with
The connection within.
It is all inside.
And from there the connection
With breath begins
The connection with the All.
It is deep, inside.
It grows there expanding
Ever deeper and higher and wider
Taking in the totality of it all.
Connection can only expand
From the inside.
Just as all love flows
From self-love,
So too does all connection flow
From inner connection.
Breath
Body
Vibration
Prana
Yoga
Union
Connection.
It is all right here.
©2014 Richard W. Bredeson. All rights reserved.
A FRIDAY POEM FROM “RHYTHMS AND CYCLES” – A Poem for Tristan
Yesterday was an eventful day! Our newest grandson, Tristan Wallace Bredeson, was born! Rosemary and I are at a conference in Orlando which also started Thursday. We knew some additional testing was being done for the baby, not due until August 24, but did not expect his arrival so soon! When we got word of his impending birth we began to wait and wonder; just as excited as expecting parents ourselves!
I began this poem while we still did not know; parents had not wanted to know the gender of this child and we did not even know name choices! I completed the poem after a few details were added. I include it in this volume, “Rhythms and Cycles”, because birth is certainly the beginning of another cycle! And I’m happy to share the joy of this new cycle!
A Poem for Tristan
I hold my breath
Waiting to hear in the silence
That first ring of life-news.
Is he here? Is she breathing?
Has our new grandchild
Joined us on the Mother’s surface
Breathing the Mother’s air?
And I wait.
I glance at my phone for signs.
I see only a dark face.
Cold technology is waiting
for some signal to let us know
All is well.
The phone remains inert,
Resting in that space of silence
Between breaths, between updates.
I take a breath.
Does baby take a breath?
I take a baby-breath
As baby takes his first breaths.
“Can I make my breath
As soft as a baby’s?”
Can baby breathe a healthy
Breath of air – and spirit?
Yes, I believe he can!
Then all comes to life
As we learn the joyous news
That all is well and he is here.
He may be early, anxious for
Sun, Moon, Stars to be just right.
He may be small, for now;
He will grow into his big name!
Tristan Wallace Bredeson is here!
©2014 Richard W. Bredeson. All rights reserved.
CRYSTALS AND YOU – Richard’s Commentary
As I write this we are in Florida visiting friends on our way to a conference in Orlando. The items we brought, combining housewarming (our friends moved here recently) and host gifts, are crystals. In fact our son, who has been collecting crystals since he was two, sent a special quartz crystal he had found in Raleigh, NC, to our “adopted grandson”, aged 6, as a special connection. We are all tapping into the “wisdom of the worlds.”
Here is the paragraph from Rosemary’s channeled message from The Divine Feminine that I most resonate with:
Not all people alive at this time are ready to hear the Wisdom of the Worlds as transmitted by these crystals, and, so, they will deny the value or, indeed, even the idea of crystals as messengers. They will dismiss crystals as ‘new age fads’ or ‘just fancy rocks.’ When you hear this from a person, or if you feel this yourself, know that this attitude comes from a fear of the challenge of personal growth. If you are connecting to these words then, Dear One, you are ready for personal growth through a personal relationship with the Crystal Kingdom.
Many people are awakening to this special and “personal relationship.” We have another friend in the Annapolis area who hosts a crystal grid and sing bowls meditation once each month. These experiences are some of the most powerful meditation experiences I have had recently. And I am pleased and impressed by the number of young people who are attending. Several help with the hundreds of pounds of crystals set up each month. They are clearly ready for the “personal relationship.”
What does this mean exactly? I can’t explain it with rational thought or logical words. These are feelings. There is a vibrational experience and sensibility that works on trans-rational levels. It could be loosely compared to intoxication, but it is a trip of the mind/soul/spirit rather than a chemical trip of the body. And there is a Universe of “information” available on these trips. I am still processing my last experience with the crystals.
Do you have a crystal with which you resonate? If so you can simply sit with it. Hold it in any way that feels comfortable. Let your mind drift. Follow your breath. Then begin to gently tune in to the crystal. This is usually a very subtle process; a sensitive attunement with the energy radiating from the crystal. It is a delicate “listening” experience…listen with your entire person, especially inside. Tune out the five senses and “listen” with your heart. After a little while set the crystal aside and record what you experienced.
If you need to find a crystal to discover a “personal relationship” you can simply locate a “rock shop” in your area; you can find very inexpensive and yet powerful crystals almost anywhere these days (the Crystal Kingdom is seeking these relationships). Go into the shop in this “listening” mode described above. First sense the overall feeling of the shop. If it feels dead, low energy, or if you sense any negativity from the shopkeeper, choose another shop. But in my experience it is rare for a shop with crystals to have negative energy. To find “your” crystal simple scan the collection in the sensitive mode, listening with your heart. The crystal will call out to you!
Of course, if none of this makes any sense to you, you may not be ready for this “personal relationship.” And that’s OK too! We are all growing and developing at our individual rates. Remain in flow and patient!
For all of us, in all stages of development, the Crystal Kingdom is blessing us with their energy and messages!
ROSEMARY’S EXPLORATION: Crystals and You
A message from The Divine Feminine about Crystals:
“Dear Ones,
The Crystal Kingdom on Earth contains many molecules that have come to Earth from other parts of the Cosmos. These molecules are carriers of multi-dimensional wisdom whose time has arrived to be shared with the people of the Earth.
Not all people alive at this time are ready to hear the Wisdom of the Worlds as transmitted by these crystals, and, so, they will deny the value or, indeed, even the idea of crystals as messengers. They will dismiss crystals as ‘new age fads’ or ‘just fancy rocks.’ When you hear this from a person, or if you feel this yourself, know that this attitude comes from a fear of the challenge of personal growth. If you are connecting to these words then, Dear One, you are ready for personal growth through a personal relationship with the Crystal Kingdom.
We will not give you here a compendium of theories about crystals and their physical, spiritual or emotional properties. There are many sources for material on these topics. We will, however, tell you here how you are to interact with crystals to gain the most benefit from them.
To begin with, the crystals that are available to you have traveled to you from many distant locations on Planet Earth as well as some that traveled to Earth fairly recently from beyond her atmosphere. All of these crystals, whether they began on earth or are sourced from elsewhere, are the Crystal Children of Mother Earth.
Crystals carry in them energies given to them by Mother Earth, either from her core or through her atmosphere. Just as a human baby became ‘a human’ by taking its first breath of Mother Earth’s atmosphere, so, too, did crystalline structures that came from elsewhere in the Cosmos become Children of Mother Earth when she kissed them as they traveled through her atmosphere. The crystals that have grown within Mother Earth are being birthed into the service of her human children as they are appearing above ground to work with Mother Earth’s human children.
This work with humans is to help them grow in their understanding of themselves and of how the Cosmos works.
In your home, place crystals where you feel they want to be. Choose crystals by using your intuition, by paying attention to how you feel when you hold a crystal or view a picture of it. Notice if your first impression is that a certain crystal ‘appeals’ to you, or that you keep finding yourself being drawn to it, or picking it up and not wanting to put it down.
Choosing a crystal is the first step.
Choosing where to place the crystal is the next step. Do not criticize those who would use a crystal ‘for decorative purposes only.’ They may not know or appreciate the deeper properties of the crystal but it will share its benefits with them even if only at an unconscious level.
If you are ready to connect with, to communicate with a crystal, then hold it in your hand or place it near/on your body and dialogue with it. Learn what its message is for you. Be aware that it may take several visits to get the complete message transmitted and that there might be additional messages from the crystal at a later date.
The crystal will let you know where to place it. If you feel that you haven’t received any information about placement, then set it down wherever you choose. It will be the right place. And be prepared to move crystals around when you feel like doing so.
There are many theories about clearing crystals and we would tell you to choose whatever method feels right to you.
At another time we will teach you about crystal grids and their energy.
Go now and learn from your crystals.
And So It Is.”
The Divine Feminine via
ROSEMARY’S INSPIRATION: Mother Earth’s Crystal Children
My “Two-Minute” Video for this Week: Mother Earth’s Crystal Children
New Moon in Leo I Ching Divination
I love New Moons. And I love working with the I Ching around these times of new energy, new beginnings, fresh starts each month (or moonth!). And I especially like this New Moon: both Rosemary and I are Leos. If you too are a Leo I celebrate you! And if you are not I recommend making some Leo friends!
One of the reasons I love the I Ching is because it works! I think my example this month demonstrates this beautifully. Last month the accomplished Gua, the six-line symbol of yin and yang lines (open and closed) that we ended the month with was Union. (See that post.) Among other things that symbol referred to partnerships, marriages. And it is significant that Rosemary and I celebrated our 31st Anniversary just as the Sun was moving into Leo on July 22. And, yes, we did commit to additional years of marriage (I’m looking forward to another 31 years!).
And here is the interesting thing. The Gua I cast for the Leo New Moon is Heng which means Long Lasting! I picture the Gua here:
Master Alfred Huang, author of my main reference text, The Complete I Ching, says this about Long Lasting: “The union of husband and wife should not be short lived.” From the Cancer New Moon when we celebrated Union we continue on this Leo month with the “Long Lasting of that Union”! And the I Ching decision is:
Long lasting
Prosperous and smooth.
No fault.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Favorable to have somewhere to go.
The beginning of the month looks good. And we are about to begin a trip to visit family and friends, and to attend a conference; a combination of a work and play trip. Long Lasting seems to favor this trip.
It is a good time to look at partnerships, especially long-term partnerships. Renew them; honor them; celebrate them! And take this Gua’s decision to heart.
Now, notice that there are two “9 lines” at the second and fourth positions. These are changing lines; in this case the 9s can shift to 6s, from yang lines to yin lines. Master Huang suggests reading the lower changing line to derive the accomplished Gua. This yields Xiao Guo which means Little Exceeding. It is pictured here:
An initial reaction to this Gua may be a bit negative. There are several warning components in the text, but the main message is more cautionary than negative. Part of the Decision says:
A flying bird leaves a message:
Not appropriate to ascend
Appropriate to descend.
This means it is time to pause and assess. Now is a good time to take small steps and make small adjustments. Reflect. It is good to do this with the Leo sun. We are in harvest time now. The Celtic cross-quarter day of Lughnasadh or Lammas is celebrated in early August. It is time to both reap the rewards of hard work and take stock of the supplies moving toward fall and winter. Be prepared for the coming shift. Note the symbol of the flying bird and the warning to descend. We are moving toward the descent of the season. After Lammas begin to notice that the days are growing significantly shorter.
And here is the good news: the mutual Gua which contains the hidden meaning for Little Exceeding is Da Guo, Great Exceeding! In this month of Little Exceeding, we can prepare for something big on the horizon. The harvest will be sufficient. Be ready for this Great Exceeding by tending to details and making the necessary small adjustment now.
Are you ready for the harvest? Tend to the details and celebrate Lammas; note the changing light as we move toward Equinox; and enjoy the warm and inviting Leo Sun!
A FRIDAY POEM FROM “RHYTHMS AND CYCLES” – Grandmother Moon (a reprise)
It hasn’t been that long since I published this poem. But for you new followers, in case you missed it, here it is again. And here we are again, sinking with the moon as she falls ever further behind in her race with the sun. I seem to be sensing the “death” of this particular moon, into the Leo sun, even more powerfully than usual. Maybe the Lion’s jaws are fierce and strong and Grandmother is falling toward them with more than her usual reluctance!
Do you feel the effects of the “old moon” a day or two before the new moon? Check in with your intuitive nature. The moon is there to support that feminine side of you!
Grandmother Moon
She is dying into the arms
Of the Father.
She is old and worn,
So close to his breast.
What will you give her
To offer the Father?
Her emptiness can hold all
You have to release.
Are your standards so fixed
To forgive and forget?
Let fly the high-horse
To Grandmother Moon.
Release your regrets
To her skinny white arms.
She’ll fold them and hold all
To burn with her heart.
In three days she’ll appear
Reborn and renewed.
Look to the west for the joy
Of her face and rejoice.
You too are new!
©2014 Richard W. Bredeson. All rights reserved.
We Are Family – Richard’s Commentary
I want to begin my comments with Rosemary’s ending to her Exploration:
This is important 21st Century work for each human being. Love yourself. Be Who You REALLY Are. Be the Light. Write your own story.
…and create your family; “we are family”! This is a lesson I have learned and continue to learn from Rosemary. It started over 30 years ago (we celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary yesterday!). We came together with kids; Rosemary had a daughter and I had two sons. From the very beginning we made a conscious choice, and from then on a conscious and valiant effort, to blend and create a “nuclear” family of the five of us. And it worked. Today our 30-something kids could not be closer if they were blood-related. We are family!
And we each have our extended families. I met Rosemary’s at her sister’s wedding. The vibe is dominated by Italian ancestry; my Norwegian/Swiss (northern) ancestry was welcomed in with open arms and big hugs. My cold northern blood melted right in to this southern love. Meanwhile my family remains pretty much in tact in Wisconsin – that Norwegian blood just likes it cold! I love them, visit (in the summer/fall) now and then. We are family!
And then we have our ultra-extended family that spans the globe from here north into Canada, east to Europe, south to Australia, west to China. We have grandchildren here in Maryland, another on the way in California. And then there are our adopted grandchildren/god-children spread all over from England to Florida and far beyond. Our younger friends with children just seem to know: we are family! (Of course, the children know it immediatedly!)
We are about to begin a fun trip to Florida for a work-related conference in Orlando next week. On the way (we are driving) we will stop in Raleigh, NC to visit with our youngest child, catching up with that part of the nuclear family and his delightful girl friend. Then it is on to Brunswick, GA to visit long-term, but not seen in years, friends; and even though there is a serious back injury in the picture here, we are compelled to spend the night – “you are family.” Then it is on to Tampa to visit more friends and one of our adopted grand/god-children. After the Orlando conference it is on to Amrit Ashram to visit a nephew and Gurudev. We are family!
And my story goes on. It is still unfolding. We have more family members to meet; they are out there waiting for us. As Rosemary says:
…write a NEW story! You have permission. You are Lady or Lord Creator of Your Own Truth! Love yourself enough to be the creator of a fine life story. Be the ancestor of a legacy that makes you proud and smiling today.
Be the love. Be the light. Go meet your family; they are out there waiting for you! Be the ancestor of a legacy! And remember:
We are family!
Men and The Goddess 