Although hundreds or thousands of explanations are given,

There is only one thing to be understood -

Know the one thing that liberates everything -

Awareness itself, your true nature.

 ~Dudjom Rinpoche

                                                                                          

                                                                                    

I'm building a co-dependent relationship with me and swimming.

What a big last many days it has been.  It began with some hoopla and a lot of fear and questions.  I was getting so carried away with questions I could not answer.  I realized that I have enough questions on my own that need answering - to see these external circumstance clearly.  My view has turned into not looking outward, but keeping it simple.  Starting with what I know.  Me.

When I look inward, I realize that I've had this big fear of being self-absorbed and taking care of my own needs.  Like it is an unnecessarily lavish thing to do.  In a moment, something shifted, and I'm finally starting to viscerally experience it's ridiculousness.  Experience is so much more powerful than thoughts. And talking about my experience has brought so many relationships, new and old, to the forefront and I realize that when I am in need of some support, presence, sisterhood, love, and honesty - it is here.

When I am clear with my intentions, it is more than phenomenal as to what the world puts into your hands.  It is that fearlessness and open heartedness once again.

A deep thank you.

Questions.
How to hear through the clutter of habit.
How to hear our own hearts and needs.

This is where I am.

I am taking many paths to understand these answers.  From sitting in the morning, feeling...feeling...into my heart.  As my friend Lucky says, allowing my brain to rest in my heart,  honoring myself and what I feel within me 100%.

I'm choosing my path, making my own decisions on how I use my time and owning it.  Even during the rich farm day, drinking good tonics and taking breaks.  What! I can take breaks and be as productive.  And taking care of my body.  I have been making joyful smoothies for breakfast and dinner and then eating a large nutritive meal at lunch and this is feeling so right on for my physical and spirit being really.  And swimming! Swimming as often as I can.  I am a mermaid at heart and need to be submerged in water to remain alive.  And beyond this, I am talking with lots of wonderful people and hearing their wisdom and insight.  Feeling the elation that comes from connection.

I am really trying to break through.
To break through to truth.
It's at my soil covered fingertips
and yet some things need to shift to reach through.

In time.
Patience.
The path is the journey.



Here is my current favorite drink:
Parsley Blueberry Kale Shake

2 cups almond milk (I soaked almonds in water, but any 'ol chemical free milk will do)
4 kale leaves (remove spine)
7 parsley stalks (remove spine)
1 cup frozen blueberries
3 dates
powders of choice.  (i've been using health force powders, the maca one and the green sage protein)
Blend it on up.

I've been finding them more delicious once cooled down, leaving them in the refrigerator for an hour. 


In-joy.

Strength.

 Today was a challenging day.  I feel the energy moving.  Change.  And somehow I am here now, feeling a bit lighter.  A bit more capable of thriving.  They say all things do not stay the same, but often times I forget to observe the process throughout the day.  The changes in mood, focus, intention.  Right now I'm breathing deeply enough and widening my eyes enough to remember the moments.  The tiny shifts.  The difficulty and the relief.  Being courageous is terrifying.  I forget the true meaning of warriorship until I am in a transitional moment where I must be true to myself.  I must make a move in some way to honor my word.  To honor the words I use and turn them into action.  There is also much movement, much action in being still and resting with the power, the energy in my body, the thoughts and feeling -- to see what the next step will be.  Being a warrior involves some reflection.  Remembering to take the time to be authentic to our life's path.  That commitment and discipline is warriorship.  I am also feeling that warriorship is about loving with all of the challenges and changing.  





Running gracefully
with 2 gleaming swords
cutting through confusion
cutting through the mind
to the heart mind.

with all senses alert
covered in the fur of wild
radiating compassion to all the beings

on the way to the target
to our chosen path


To your true nature.
To honoring you.

Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, An Hour of Good Listening.

 http://www.goodlifeproject.com/sakyong-mipham-rinpoche/

Ashwagandha Icecream

I started drinking warmed almond milk with ashwagandha powder and a sprinkling of herbs a few months ago.  I have slept so deeply the nights I have taken the time to enjoy this ritual.  Now that the heat of summer has arrived, the ritual has subsided and I have been experimenting with frozen yogurt.  Last night I made a batch of ashwagandha frozen yogurt.  It was the perfect - cooling - calming treat.  And I slept incredibly well.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is in the Solanaceae family.  Same family as potatoes, peppers and tomatoes.  Here in New England, we dig up the root after it has experienced a few frosts and set it out to dry, before grinding it up (I have also heard it recommended to harvest before frost.)  The root is where the medicine lies.  I have used the leaves to make salves and have heard that the berries can be used as an alternative rennet for making cheese, but the root is mainly where it is at.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which enables the body to deal with stress, a mild sedative, helps focus the mind and many many other actions....anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, nutritive, immunomodulatory....  For those that have a disturbed spirit with a nervous state or the inability to sleep well this is incredibly useful, as well as for a weak system needing a boost.

Definitely the most special activity that ashwagandha offers, is that it is both an adaptogen and calming, which is quite a useful combination.


Here's a recipe for ashwagandha frozen yogurt icecream.
It is based on a frozen yogurt recipe that one of our dear apprentices Allyson gave me, as she is an extraordinary pastry chef.  

Ashwagandha root overtaking a cup of frozen yogurt and a jar of our powder

2 cups milk (dairy, nut or coconut milk)
1.1/4 cup yogurt (or can use dairy alternative)
1/4 cup sweetener (maple syrup, honey, sugar)
1/2 teaspoon guar gum
Pinch of salt
1.5 teaspoons-3 teaspoons ashwagandha powder
Optional: spices to your liking (cinnamon, cardamon, vanilla, nutmeg ... )


Mix all ingredients EXCEPT the guar gum, ashwagandha and spices.
Slowly add the guar gum while mixing.  Let the mix sit for 4 hours or more so the guar gum can absorb the liquid.  I leave this in the refrigerator.
Then blend in the ashwagandha and spices.

If you have an icecream maker pour this in.
If not, put it in a covered container into the freezer and every 30 minutes, mix it up, until it's at the right consistency for you.

Enjoy!