June: Beauty – Wisdom – Alchemy

BEAUTY
We celebrate June with vibrant colors!! Here are few to feast your eyes on. Click on any one for gallery view.

This was a special treat, a Summer Solstice sunset, full moon hike put on by the Point Reyes National Seashore Association. Thank you fellow eco-minister, Kacey Carmichael for the invite! I love the photo above because you can’t tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins. There seems to be no horizon, until you look really closely. That little sliver of reddish light in the pale blue haze is the sun. We learned that on this day, this is the farthest Southwest point of the setting summer sun. Lined up directly opposite from the sunset, the moon rose at it’s farthest Northeast point, and on the Winter Solstice, the sun and moon swap locations on the horizon. I think more eventide hikes have to happen.

I had to add these last two photos from a great month-end hike with my friend, Susan, who was trying out her newish iPhone. These are my two fave pics from the day. Hiking to a beach is my favorite thing to do, and even though we’ve done this trail before, it didn’t disappoint. We capped off our 6.5 mile day with a late lunch at the Due West Tavern in Olema. Excellent food!! I’ll eat there again.

WISDOM

June 16 marked my 68th trip around the sun. I celebrated all month, treating myself to a hair cut, an amazing body work session from Christine Tulis; fine food with dear friends several times, some new clothes, great hikes, and adding to my crystal collection, (Like I don’t already have enough).  Sheeesh!!! June was also the 6-month milestone since my surgery in December. Morning walks and weekly hikes are now consistently 4 to 5+ miles. I’m feeling pretty close to 100%, maybe even better. The birthday also brought this question up amongst my friends, especially my fellow baby boomers. “How old do you feel?”  It makes me laugh because my mind thinks my body is 40, but my body reminds me regularly that it’s way past that. I can barely get down onto, or up off of, the floor!! My egoic psyche feels 35-40ish, still lots to learn and recurring shadow stuff to work on. My Spirit feels ageless, expansive and mostly content. As I reflect on this midway point in the year, the first half was slow and gentle, with June being celebratory.  Now I turn to the second half, which is going to be quite full, while stretching some of my growing edges around being seen–as I teach, guide, lead and present to various groups. I continue to put one foot in front of the other on my path, (literally and metaphorically) and remain open to and trusting of the flow the universe offers. There’s a little nervous excitement and anticipation about the coming months, as I continue to grow my practice, lead more Death Café conversations and facilitate my first spiritual direction group of seminary grads, all dedicated to healing and transforming our chaotic world. The wisdom to heal and transform the world, lives within the heart of each one of us, no matter our age, race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, or socio-economic status. I’ll keep doing my small part as best I can with an open heart and gratitude for the opportunity. Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha (mantra from the Heart Sutra)

ALCHEMY

THIS is happening July 11, where my collection of photos, “Divine Reflections in Nature” will be on display and for sale, in their first public exhibit after gestating many years. I’ll be introducing these Goddess images and their mantras with a brief presentation about how nature, photography, and Divine Feminine energy helped me to heal and integrate my near-death-experience (almost 20 years ago), and how visual meditation (visio divina) can support mind, body, Spirit healing. The photos will remain up in the CCC sanctuary through the summer. I am deeply grateful to Reverend Jess Shine, their staff and congregation for this opportunity.

Unable to attend or visit? My Divine Reflections in Nature book is available from Blurb.

Please reach out with comments or questions. I love to hear from you. Also, a big thank you to everyone who signed up this past month to receive my blog!

 

Namasté,

Rev. Lisa
Spiritual Companion/Guide
Contemplative Photographer
Interfaith Chaplain/Eco-Minister
Free Photos at Pexels
Spirit-Infused Healing Photography Books at Blurb
Photography is my love language. Teaching people to see Beauty-as-Medicine is my ministry. – Rev. Lisa

Beauty calls us beyond ourselves and encourages us to engage the dream that dwells in the soul. –John O’Donohue