Don't Go Back To Sleep, Come Back To Your Own True Nature

The ancient Masters
didn't try to educate the people,
but kindly taught them to not-know.

When they think that they know the answers,
people are difficult to guide.
When they know that they don't know,
people can find their own way.

If you want to learn how to govern,
avoid being clever or rich.
The simplest pattern is the clearest.
Content with an ordinary life,
you can show all people the way
back to their own true nature.

~Tao te Ching

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep

~Rumi

Micki Lippe

If you are in the Seattle area, you won't want to miss this December 3rd showing of Micki Lippe's inspiring jewelry.

The Practice of Play

An earlier post on the practice of play elicited this comment from Maria

Oh wonderful play! Whom better to re-educate ourselves than our own children. Just yesterday Ashley, myself, Jared and Zoe did just what you said and laughed soooo hard that our tummy's hurt. The situation arose when Ii was sitting on floor with Zoe coloring and she accidentally marked my arm with the marker. She apologized and on impulse I put a dot on her nose and she giggled. The incident caught Jared's attention, he sat by us and drew on his nose. Oh my! Then the fun began as we all started to color our faces with all different colors -- red,green, black, brown and yellow. Looking at each other just sent us roaring with laughter. My husband turned to see what all the laughter was about and just shook his head and told us that we were silly, but I just didn't care as that feeling of laughing sooo much was sooo worth it. I had not laughed like that in a while! Then we all got up and looked in the mirror and just fell about the place in fits of laughter. Let our kids take us on these wonderful experiences. Let them take you by the hand and allow them to show you the countless possibilities of play!

Thank you Zoe and Jared for reminding me how to play! love mom!

And yesterday I received these treasured pictures in the mail. As the note says: "Be very careful when your kids say 'Mom, Will you color with me?'. You may be in for a fun time."

What inspirations you three are. Thank you.

We are the Ones

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell people that THIS is the hour.
And there are things to be considered ...

It is time to speak your truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader ...

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the Ones we’ve been waiting for.

~The Elders / Oraibi, Arizona / Hopi Nation

Via jack/zen

Whatever is stopping you from speaking your truth, please face it.
It is time to speak your truth.

Whomever you feel pulled to be around and connect with, please connect with them.
Create your community.

The voice you are looking to follow, the one who needs your attention, the one that will lead you in the right direction is your own True Voice.
Please listen.

Joy and Beauty that Moves Us Towards Life

Jan awakens space with his words:

The sad/joyful heart sounds familiar... we all experience it when a moment of unsuspected beauty catches us off guard: the emotions merge and take us to that place where the present moment is so overwhelmingly joyful/beautyful you just have to cry. You feel the deep sadness of beauty in flux, and realize the fabric of existence is a mystery. And that ultimately you are that mystery.

Thomas awakens space with his performances, expressions of the Luminous Edge, "open windows into fields of wonder and awe."

An audience member writes:

I just wanted to write and tell you how profoundly your show affected me - it was so beautiful and just filled me with inspiration and happiness. I brought my girlfriend with me to the show (we are both professional painters) and she also was overwhelmed and filled to the brim with inspiration.Your inclusion of the audience combined with your incredible openess was so invigorating. We felt so privledged to be included and that inclusion is such a part of making us all artists - breaking that potential barrier that stops people from participating and finding the joy of expression within themselves.

Thank you to each of you who offers forward your joy of expression, inviting us deeper into the mysterious fabric of existence.

(P.S. If you happen to be in the area of Nelson, British Columbia, there's a 7:00 show you won't want to miss: "a playful, contemplative performance and improvisational ritual expressing our connection to the natural flow of order in this world.")

Innocence Awakening and Biodiesel School Buses

Heather has an inspiring blog, Innocence Awakening.

It is amazing how we can make such a difference in this world by changing small areas of our everyday life.

And yet she doesn't just focus on the small areas:

I spent a lot of time today doing research on the web and finally found one answer to the many questions I have about the gas issue in our country. I have always noticed when my daughter gets picked up by the school bus in front of our home that it has diesel written on the side. I found a website that campaigns for biodiesel school buses called Veggievan.org. I called the head of transportation today and asked if they would consider it because it's simply a change in fuel. Maybe there is a tax credit out there for a program like this. Or maybe one should be started. Anyway, I am going to keep calling until they let me speak to them and give them information on the alternative.

And then an update later in the day:

The head of Clarkston Community School transportation just called me and said he is interested in the useof biodiesell for our buses. He said they are Thompson and manufactured by Daimler Chrysler and since we lease every three years and are due next year for new buses, he thinks its viable to revisit the issue. Now I just need to gather more data for him. If anyone has any info on this let me know.

You go girl!!