Silent Sermon Sunday

Art by David Arms

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Spining Like A Top

When life seems to be running at a hectic pace that leaves us breathless we say, "I'm spinning in place," or "I feel like a spinning top!"  "Like a Whirling Dervish..."  generally indicates that we're going as fast as we can, attempting to keep up, and feeling exhausted for our efforts.

It can be so defeating, this feeling as if your best effort to stay in control is not enough.  Feeling as if Life is so much bigger than you can manage.

It's interesting that Whirling Dervish has become synonymous for everything spinning out of control when in reality since 1273, this Sufi moving mediation has been bringing Human Beings out of their daily grind and into loving connection with The Divine.  This ecstatic movement is performed by The Mevlevis- the Sufi Mystical Sect, to calm the mind, open the heart, and touch The Creator. The most famous Sufi is the poet, Rumi; the Mevlevis formed to mark his passing from this world and into immortality.

Proving, yet again, that what we think we're seeing is not always what we're seeing. In this case, to be a Whirling Dervish isn't about spinning out of control-- it's about moving with focus and intention. Even when spinning with wild abandon, Dervish don't worry about controlling life. They focus, instead, on dancing their way to an active relationship with life.

The Dervish spins with delight.  Swirls with joy.  Circles with intent.  Starting with one arm up and one down to open a channel to the love that comes from above us and sending it down to the earth. Then slowly both arms raise up and up in praise and connection with The Maker of All That Is.

The Dervish spins to remember the Qur'an teaching, "Hearts become tranquil through the remembrance of Allah."  The moving meditation brings peace to the dancer and to those who witness it. The religion of Islam really is one of peace, but in our world it's been corrupted and taken hostage by angry, hateful people of ill intent. Islam, at its heart, is like all other true faiths with its intention to make us aware that we are all threads in the tapestry of God.

The ecstatic movement of the Dervish personifies the quaint notion, "Dance as if no one is watching!"  They dance with the aim of reigniting connection with The Divine.  They circle and swirl until they lose their limited thoughts of being only Human. They dance in a group to give rise to collective energy and once raised, they share it with all the world for our peace, for our betterment, for our Humanity.

Look at her beautifully peaceful face. Her spins have filled her skirt.  It billows out and encircles her, holding her in a clear moment with her creator.  She is in love.  She shares it with us. At first glance, the movement may seem chaotic and wild but when you see her face, you become aware that things are not always as they seem.

When life seems as if it's all too much, don't stop spinning.  Just change what the spinning means. Change your view point.  Become the Whirling Dervish.  Use the world as music to help your spins bring you peace.

My Darlings, remember to dance through your day and life as if no one is watching! But, know that through it all, regardless of challenges or hard times, The Creator is always joyfully waiting to dance with you.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly 

Out of The Blue

Out of no conscious thought of mine, the blue Medicine Buddha has appeared and taken up a great deal of my mind.

Generally, I spend time with Green Tara and occasionally White Tara may visit.  Even though I am a Reiki Master Teacher, the Blue Buddha has never spoken to me before.  But, I suppose my chaotic mind, which is so different from how I generally operate, has attracted this Great Divine Healer.

I am humbled.

Like any new relationship, it takes time to develop.  I had to do some research on this beautiful being. It's fascinating to learn that this Master Healer doesn't simply work on the physical disabilities and diseases that trouble so many.  He also works on healing the spiritual and emotional bodies.

I was very sick through most of January.  Now I am feeling better physically but exceedingly tired. My energy has seeped out and seems lost.  I walk about doing my chores and tasks without enthusiasm.  My emotional and mental bodies are slow, like how one is upon first waking.  A slight disconnect, a fuzziness that keeps me from seeing the colors brightly or feeling my feelings sharply.  I hope the Divine Healer will help sweep away the dust that covers my third eye.

One quality of this Being of which I was not aware is that he works on removing fear, panic, and intractable thinking.  Medicine Buddha softens our thoughts and turns them toward what is true and compassionate.  The world sure can use this right now.

And, I feel that my recent treatment from others has so stunned me that I am like a beacon of need. True need. In this moment.  At this time.

The Medicine Buddha reminds me that just as a cart follows the horse, my body follows my thoughts so I must remember to think positively and realistically.  I must remember that I am neither horse nor cart, but both. I am both.

I can see the clear blue light that comes from him especially at night before I drift to sleep.  It is the beauty of a cobalt blue bottle sitting in a sunny window.  The fascinating deep blue light streams in, captivates, and brings peace.  A deep breath.  A sigh.  A moment of comfort.

The Medicine Buddha is the color of lapiz lazuli.  The miracle stone.  Interestingly, my thyroid has been on the fritz and my doctor and I are working to bring it back into its normal way of being. I think I will wear this stone for awhile.

There are no coincidences when it comes to The Divine.  The Creator of All That Is, knows me and loves me.  And, I have been reminded that what is needed is always provided.

"Dearest Healing Buddha, please show us the power which heals all beings, removes the ignorance and obscuration of all beings and empower us to perform the great work. Let the minds' timeless light be recognized inside of me."

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Is Grateful

Being Kinder Starts With...

...It's said it starts with yourSelf.  Whatever you want to push out into the world, if it's to be real and genuine it starts with really owning it and being it. The work starts from within and emanates.

I think that must be the hard part...it's always easier to see what's out in front of you.  Sometimes we forget the point of origin.  We forget to add ourSelf to the list of those who should get something good and meaningful.

This is my goal: To remember to give to me what I would so freely give to others.  To hone my kindness to what is real.  What is true.  What is of value.

If you feel I'm not giving as much to mySelf as I give to you, won't you be gentle and remind me? My spirit will love you for it.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Wishes To Be Truly Kind

Silent Sermon Sunday

Part of my Madonna Collection from around the world

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Honors The Goddess

A Moment of Truth & Beauty

Yesterday, I raced in the door at T.K. Salon for my standing every four week haircut and chat with Noelle, my wonderful stylist.  Each month I walk in looking like I have a shrub on top my head and walk out looking like a Human Being with an individual sense of style.

My short, bed head hair and the fact that I've decided to embrace my white/silver color is not the choice most or many would make.  But, it is me.  And, well, for me it works.  As far as I'm concerned, a good stylist is nothing short of a miracle worker.  A visit with Noelle means that at least a few minutes each month, I feel better about mySelf.  A few minutes when I think I can still see that I was pretty.

In my hurry to catch up on the bits of news since my last visit, it barely registered that there was an elderly woman getting her hair washed while Noelle and I chatted.  I smiled at the other people there, but didn't pay close attention, save that it is rare to see an elderly woman at the shop.  I sat in Noelle's chair and my cut commenced.

The older woman was now seated next to me having an ongoing conversation with her daughter with an occasional comment to the stylist.  Daughter said, looking up from her magazine, "Mom, Danielle Steel has a new book out, have you read it?"  Mom replied, "No, I haven't even caught up with the last two she wrote.  Why don't you buy them for me?"

Daughter replies, "Mom, I don't even know the titles of her last two books!"  And then a bit later, "Mom, you should use some product in your hair that will help you keep up with this new do of yours!"

Mom to Daughter, "Okay, (side comment to the stylist, "I assume you sell that stuff here?" Affirmative nod from the stylist,) you buy it from Theresa here and I'll use it."

Noelle and I looked at each other via the mirror and both smiled.  Mom is no slouch!  Not going to use here money on frivolity, but if Daughter with her bright ideas wants to contribute, out standing! Go Mom!

It was a few moments later that we heard the first exclamation that stopped our chat, "Oh Theresa! Look at it!  Oh look!"  Noelle looked over and smiled.  The old girl was smiling really huge looking at herSelf in the mirror.  I said very quietly, "Wow, she really seems to like it!"  and Noelle smiling said, "Yes!  It's so wonderful when that happens."

A little while later the New Old Girl said to her daughter, "Karen!  Just look!  Isn't it wonderful?!  Oh!"  Major affirmation from her daughter, "Yes indeed, Mom, you look beautiful!  Great job, Theresa!"

It occured to me that I was paying witness to one of those rare moments of Beautiful Truth.  The moment when we see the truth of who we are, when we can stand in agreement with ourSelf instead of picking at our faults; or accepting with a sigh the things we so dislike about ourSelf.  The moment when we feel, PRETTY!  A moment when we can actually see what others see!  A moment of positive affirmation.

That  rare sort of feeling is contagious.  Everyone around gets to remember that possibility.  That joy. That beautiful truth.  The moment when we do more than accept our shortcomings or the things about ourSelf that we don't like but have learned to live with.  A moment when we actually see ourSelf in the mirror instead of glancing to make sure we don't have spinach in our teeth and then quickly away because we are disappointed in the reflection.



A divine moment when the authentic beauty that is inside spills out so you can see I AM!

Noelle said, "That right there is why we do this job.  The chance to make every person who sits down feel better.  To feel pretty!  But that doesn't come very often so they're special when they do."  We sat quietly as we realized that the woman was hugging Theresa and even crying.  She repeated, "Oh look at the color!  It's perfect.  Theresa, it's just perfect!  Not bad at all for an 80 year old gal!"  We all totally agreed.

When I got up to leave, I passed her and said, "You really look so pretty.  Can I give you a hug because you made my day!"  She put up her arms and we embraced.  "Thank you," I whispered, "I'm so glad I was here today."

I met up with her daughter paying at the counter.  I said, "I am so happy for her.  And Theresa, how wonderful for you to have this moment.  You gave her the chance to remember that she isbeautiful!" Her daughter, all smiles said, "I know, it's really something isn't it?!"  I nodded.

It certainly is.  A moment of beautiful truth.  We are never too old to be reminded.  Never too young to wonder.

May you find your moment of Beautiful Truth.  Even if it is for the briefest of moments.  May you be reminded how beautiful a creation you truly are.  Because, trust me, we all can see that about you every time we look at you.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Went For a Haircut But Got So Much More

Silent Sermon Sunday

This week, may you have the opportunity
to be reminded just how large and grand 

our Earth is,
And do your part to respect and support Her.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly
Photo taken by My Annie's friend, Kari, on their recent trip to the Bahamas to study the coral reefs~

Silent Sermon Sunday

This week,

May you know that

Each new day holds

potential.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Hopes

Silent Sermon Sunday

This year, may you discover deep in your Spirit,
the courage of the Magi
And follow your star.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka She Who Seeks

Silent Sermon Sunday

A few short years ago,

Seven to be exact,

I married my best friend.

I am blessed.

Hope you can recognize that you are, too.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly aka Mrs. Michael Frock

Silent Sermon Sunday

Ava & Olivia

My fashion forward girls want to remind you

This week,

Stay on the sunny side of the street!

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka Great Aunt Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

May your Sabbath and week ahead be peaceful.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka Fiona's Mum

Silent Sermon Sunday

The Creator who breathed life into you,

Did not intend for you to walk through life

With your head and back bowed from worry and care.

Look up!  Look up!  Breathe and drop your head back.

This week, very often, look up!

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly  aka She Who Looks Up

This image from the Internet because when I was in Russia in 2000, interior pictures were not allowed of this miracle of the Church of The Spilt Blood which was just newly reopened after 45 years of renovation.  When the Nazis over ran St. Petersburg, they destroyed all the interior mosaic work.  That's not just paint, it's tiny pieces of glass you're seeing.  And with love, and determination, the Russians restored the splendor of the interior to match the amazing building's exterior. 

Silent Sermon Sunday

Life transpires in the gray places

between the absolutes of black and white.

If you seek certainty,

give love.

If you wish peace,

find it in the conversation, the communion,

with the God/Goddess of your understanding.

And remember that you are the Face of God in the 

misty gray.  

So smile often and kindly.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Image from the Internet: Stotebury, WV~ St. John the Baptist Church by Victoria Bowden

Silent Sermon Sunday

"Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you..."

~ 1 Kings 8:23

Again, I'll break with the Silent Sermon tradition to add a few words.  This picture is one I took while sitting in the corner of the White Synagogue  in Capernaum, the town on the northern shore of the Galilee, the home of Jesus and Simon Peter, Andrew, and Matthew. 

The sun was glaring and the day desert hot.  I listened from the small corner of shade to our guide explain that we were standing in a synagogue that was built in 4th Century A.D.  Imagine!!!!  Sitting in the shade of a spot so old.  And yet, this White Synagogue was built on the exact spot of the Synagogue that was there in the time of Jesus.  The place of worship for the Son of Man.  Once again, my mind reeled trying to take in the ancientness of this part of the world.  All I could do was shake my head as I attempted to breathe it in and be grateful for the opportunity to be in such a place.  I felt as if I had been there before, a feeling I experienced several times throughout our pilgrimage.

As I listened to the murmur of people and the words of our guide, felt the deep heat and shaded myself in a small corner against the glare, I casually snapped a picture over my head of the few standing columns...these are nearest to the the alter and where the Torah would have been housed.  And when I looked at the picture, the remarkable streaks of light were there, magickally confirming that I sat, a small spec of humanity, in a very holy place.  A place that has held and witnessed the prayers, wishes, secret longings and thoughts of countless people.

This world of ours...this amazingly complex, ancient world of ours.  It is harsh and difficult.  Mean and cruel.  And yet, there are rare moments of grace when you realize how blessed you are to be a part of it all.  A day like one spent in Capernaum, where The Christ lived and worked along side his friends.  And went to Synagogue to talk with his God.

May your week give you a moment of Grace.

Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

Solomon's Wall

by:

Jean-Leon Gerome

For this one Sunday, I'm breaking with the "Silent Sermon" part.  Because I want to let you know that in a few days, My Lion and I will be departing for Jerusalem.  I will have lots to share with you when I return here.

Israel, I admit, has never been on my list of world places I've longed to see.  But, it is at the very top of Michael's short list of places he's always wanted to visit.  I am beyond thrilled for him to have this wish answered.  I know I will be more than delighted by all the history and sights I will encounter over the eight days.

How can one not be fascinated to stand in a part of our world that has such ancient energy and humanity?

So, to that end, I make you an offer.  If you have a special intention, or you have a special prayer that you would like me to include at my time standing at The Wall, please let me know.

I promise you that it will be included in the small paper I leave in a crack of The Wall....it will join the millions of prayers that have now become part of that sacred place.  Carrying it for you will be an honor.

The ancient cry of the Jews is always the hopeful, "Next year in Jerusalem!"  Somehow, I feel especially fortunate to live in a world that means world travel is so easy to actualize.  Somehow, I know I am especially  blessed to be able to say, "This year in Jerusalem!"  And, I am especially blessed to have wonderful people like you, with whom to share this Mitzvah.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Silent Sermon Sunday

"Knock and it will be opened to you."

That's the promise, but you must knock.

Don't let fear keep you from knocking.

This week, just knock!

 

 

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly aka, She Who Hesitates On The Threshold

Silent Sermon Sunday

Dundyvan church, Scotland

Spend time in the sacred space where

the God of Man

and

the God of Nature

Meet.

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

photo by Mark Leslie   

Silent Sermon Sunday

Budding Hosta by Holly


May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in a window,
Welcoming the weary traveler.
~ An Irish Blessing

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly

Image from my garden