Dear Friends,
The world turns. Another month has passed. Here we are, barely if able, to keep up. Even if one doesn’t read the news, the energy in the air is unavoidably oppressive. The willful abuse of power. Greed. Violence. Genocide. Cruelty. The trampling of our most basic human rights and dismantling of our democratic society. The loss of childhood innocence, and destruction of our planet. The shadow side of the human species keeps revealing itself ever darker and darker. However, the darkness can not exist without the light. They are not separate and do not exist in a vacuum. I think of the Taoist yin/yang symbol. Within each field exists the other, the spot of light in the dark and the spot of dark in the light. Everything is interrelated. That which surrounds us is also within us and vice-versa, the individual and the collective. How do we choose to meet it, hold it, express it in the world?
These waning days of September are packing a lot of cosmic energy ––a partial solar eclipse, Autumn Equinox, New Moon, Fall Navaratri in the Hindu tradition, and Rosh Hashanah in the Jewish–– all inviting us to step into the paradoxical truth that life is hard, but so very beautiful. If we choose to, we have the opportunity for deep intentional introspection; for releasing outdated patterns, beliefs and fears; and for renewal to buoy our spirits and to keep our light alive during these hard and uncertain times. I’m dropping this post a week early so that I can engage in those practices, and also because I’ll be celebrating a 50-year friendship, roadtripping through the Desert Southwest for 10 days.
Recommended reading:
Savage Grace – Living Resiliently in the Dark Night of the Globe: Andrew Harvey and Carolyn Baker
In the Absence of the Ordinary – Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty: Francis Weller
Welcoming the Unwelcome – Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World: Pema Chödron
Beauty – The Invisible Embrace: John O’Donohue
September Beauty-as-Medicine photos click on any one to see in gallery view
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- Sunflowers & Bees
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- Pierce Pt Trail
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- Grapes
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- Azalea Hill Trail Tree
New original Beauty-as-Medicine™ photo card decks for sale
Printed on deluxe 6×9 heavy postcard stock with velvet finish, they feel lovely in the hand and are large enough for practicing Zen contemplative seeing or Visio Divina psycho-spiritual meditation and inquiry. I use them with individuals and groups in spiritual, integrative healing, and wellness settings. An instruction card with easy prompts comes with each set. Email me if you’d like to experience Beauty-as-Medicine™ healing photography with me, or to order your own set of photo cards. These are printed-on-demand, not mass produced.
$108 for each set, or $200 for both, shipped directly to you from the printer.
Beauty-as-Medicine™ – 24 vertical color photos w/instruction card
Beauty-as-Medicine™ – 24 horizontal color photos w/instruction card
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- 24 Beauty-as-Medicine Cards (vertical)
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- 24 Beauty-as-Medicine Cards (horizontal)
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, or are interested in learning more about Beauty-as-Medicine™ please reach out.
Peace, love, and blessings,
☮️ ❤️ 🙏🏻
Rev. Lisa
Spiritual Guide. Wise Woman.
Contemplative Photographer. Mystic.
Practitioner of creative, sacred and healing arts.
Beauty-as-Medicine™ workshop leader.
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
Thank you for these sage words, great resources, and sharing your beautiful photography! I am excited for you as you allow for the beauty you take in during your road trip to nourish you, and can’t wait to see what you share from your trip afterwards.