Dear Friends,
The Beauty of Nature holds us, especially during loss and grief. In these times of global and personal uncertainty, we cannot afford to look away. We must allow ourselves to feel it all – grief, rage, despair, betrayal, confusion, and when possible, to offer those emotions energetically to Mother Earth through grounding and release rituals. She will accept them, and in return, send back her regenerative energy, holding us in beauty. All she asks is that we respond with gratitude and treat her kindly and with respect. We are all of this world. We are not separate.
Spring Retreat: Coming Closer to the Divine Mother Through the Elements:
I was honored this month to lead a retreat for five amazing women chaplains and colleagues, in the Northern California redwoods at Upasana Hilltop Sanctuary. For three days we were held in the lap of the Divine Mother surrounded by, and becoming one with, each of her glorious elements: space, earth, fire, water and air. Some of what I’d planned fell by the wayside as we met each other right where we were, in the moment: holding space for grief–– the loss of relationships, loved ones, ways of life, the loss of wildlife and wild places. Riding those waves of emotions, we found comfort and beauty in the majestic old-growth redwoods standing tall in the rich earth they’d been rooted in for hundreds of years; the ocean where the surf gently, lovingly embraced a long, wide beach at low tide; the wind that carried bird song and the morning fog; the Hummingbirds we rescued and the ones we couldn’t save; and even the fire that smoked us out of the lodge, so that we turned our gaze to the abundant stars overhead. The Divine Mother shared with us the ALL of her glorious nature.
Participants Comments:
Thank you for the ways in which we all rode our collective edges together and the space to reflect on our personal edges. Thank you, Lisa for your vision, planning, preparing, and holding. What a special place you brought us to (in all the ways). JH
What a place! What a weekend! What a transformational time together. I am so very grateful for the experience and for the magic of the land and your exquisite hearts. Reentry was a bit bumpy post retreat but I’m working to hold the peace and clarity that nested in my heart at the ashram. I’m so grateful to you and to our incredible circle of wise support. AH
Love y’all!! Home now but not sure what planet I’m on! Wow what a journey with you amazing souls!! Infinite thanks dear Lisa!! LM
Sept 4 – 7 My Fall Retreat @ Babaji’s Upasana Hilltop Sanctuary – Drop me a note if you’re interested.
Click any image for gallery view. All photos ©LjW Divine Sight
Beauty is Truth: During our time on retreat we did our best to practice Darshan. We don’t just see the ocean, we become the ocean. “Darshan is to experience, and vision a lived understanding that All Is One. When we see like this, we are capable of seeing The Divine in everything–– people, animals, rivers, rocks, trees, a blade of grass. It is one of the most ancient spiritual practices, and one of the most underrated. At its most profound, the act of bearing embodied witness, is the channel through which we can come closest to touching the heart of all things. Practicing Darshan with unfettered love, courage, and presence allows one to connect to the truth. The vitality, life and wisdom in something that is beyond words can be directly communicated through Darshan. It is a space for true communion: a living prayer.” (Babaji).
High Season for Flowers and Hikes
Click any image for gallery view. All photos ©LjW Divine Sight
Honoring my friend, Mercedes Warrick, who’s soul was liberated 05-17-25
“I lived, now I AM Alive and in Joy. Be Blessed and Prosper.” Mercedes Warrick
Mercedes Dancing in God
I met Mercedes via zoom two years ago when she asked me to walk with her on her spiritual journey and to be her end-of-life doula. She had been living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for years, and while treatment options for her body were diminishing, the magic of her spirit was alive and well. Last November we met for the one and only time in person at a gala, where she was recognized for her spiritual support of cancer patients at the Caring Place in Las Vegas. After the celebration, we found ourselves making plans for her death, having no idea it would knock at her door six months later to the day. We had a standing date Sunday evenings to talk, pray, meditate and practice breath sequences she’d created as prayer. Mercedes was a talented artist, energy healer, a channel of light, and a living embodiment of the love of God. Tall, vibrant, full of life, she had a joyful cackling laughter that still rings in my ears. Mercedes died at home, cared for by her sister Doreen, close friends, and Hospice. Ram Dass famously said, “We’re all just walking each other home.” I’m confident that her soul danced all the way home. I’ll be traveling in June to Las Vegas to preside over Mercedes’ celebration and release of ashes into the desert winds
Integrating loss: While Spring is the season of reawakening and renewal, loss spans every season. I also recently experienced the ending of a 15-year friendship. Shortly afterward I did a heart-medicine journey and received this wisdom: “The relationship was good while it was. Then it wasn’t, and so it’s complete.” There’s something beautiful about it being simply complete, neutral, no blame no shame. Thanks to that bit of wisdom and the monthly integration circles I co-facilitate with Laurie Higgins, Founder of Big Mesa Healing Sanctuary, I find myself leaning more and more into the practice of acceptance and equanimity, simply being with “What Is, Is.” Acceptance: (definition) is acknowledging the reality of a situation without judgment, resistance, or a desire to change it, while still being empowered to take meaningful action where necessary and appropriate.
Friends, I say this again, we cannot afford to look away from the beauty that surrounds us if we are to survive, and even thrive in these absurdly chaotic and destructive times. However many minutes or hours you spend doom-scrolling headlines or watching the news, devote an equal amount of time in Darshan with nature. Walk in Beauty. Be in gratitude. Live with grace.
None of this post was written with AI, as you can probably tell by my over use of commas. My photography is also original. Thank you to everyone reading my musings. Feel free to send me comments and to share. Also, if you, or anyone you know, are in need of a spiritual guide, end-of-life doula, wedding or memorial officiant, please reach out.
Peace, love and blessings,
Rev. Lisa
Spiritual Guide, Healer
End-of-Life Doula, Interfaith Chaplain
Contemplative Photographer
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