tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64982306492827094632023-11-16T09:18:52.472-08:00A Growing Spiritually Growing Vedic wisdom in a modern worldagrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-70330993234038080052019-06-26T09:27:00.000-07:002019-06-26T09:27:43.569-07:00The Song Of Amergin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyHimFAHCcy4Agexvs2nO7QMkTH3aoKt86rQNnegXWyLrOfjeLr-CdhmT0gPGuMEw8wRViPt3YVeKGEf0VM5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ancient Irish Poem/incantation Translation by Michael R. Burch</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Original poem</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"> Am gaeth i m-muir,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am tond trethan,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am fuaim mara,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am dam secht ndirend, </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am séig i n-aill, </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am dér gréne,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am cain lubai,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am torc ar gail,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am he i l-lind,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am loch i m-maig,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am brí a ndai,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am bri danae,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am bri i fodb fras feochtu,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Am dé delbas do chind codnu,</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Coiche nod gleith clochur slébe?</div>
</span><span style="background-color: #f2ebf7;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Cia on co tagair aesa éscai?Cia du i l-laig fuiniud gréne?</div>
</span>agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-7557537333654409342018-05-05T03:30:00.001-07:002018-05-05T03:30:31.832-07:00Eden green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSpZS9cXAAw6zUzlQwI5NNDMBv_iJwTvNsP6MWStrvKPpl_zr23GQg2l28EWGDagKjQZjpB850Unlf23El3MMuTabx5MZncBt9EkBD6RbIMH_XI7uyW_v9BFzLX7D6KwiTDYIWBJ5o3I/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSpZS9cXAAw6zUzlQwI5NNDMBv_iJwTvNsP6MWStrvKPpl_zr23GQg2l28EWGDagKjQZjpB850Unlf23El3MMuTabx5MZncBt9EkBD6RbIMH_XI7uyW_v9BFzLX7D6KwiTDYIWBJ5o3I/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We’ve forsaken Eden's green</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For motorways and gasoline</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">By our actions will we be seen</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With you I want to walk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">We’ve forsaken this good land</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Where children worked hand in hand</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lost we turned from nature's plan</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With you we shall return,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">We’ve forsaken what was given</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Forest green and valley riven</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No longer to our hearts we listen</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Heal with me my friend?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFrTeVEgvgj-Jmzij7Owm8sGdbDC62EFdMxDXQ7l2nrKCLGSBj8lh5HTJ6iIs4D70sJ8v-MCjqTa5Q-ztg8mGwQYsuRzKs0ldfuLgFsW5tgFw0ILHaJjcCXDd33LGUdGEOQZh5L-a-zI/s1600/DSC_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFrTeVEgvgj-Jmzij7Owm8sGdbDC62EFdMxDXQ7l2nrKCLGSBj8lh5HTJ6iIs4D70sJ8v-MCjqTa5Q-ztg8mGwQYsuRzKs0ldfuLgFsW5tgFw0ILHaJjcCXDd33LGUdGEOQZh5L-a-zI/s320/DSC_0203.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This land is our Mother fair</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Nurtures us with love and care</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Our dependency we should repair</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Before the times too late.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">Through dark times the sun will shine</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Light the way back to the divine</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Emerge beyond our own demise</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">To a land that we once knew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre;">So walk with us beloved friend</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Divert from a bitter end</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With love's message we can transcend</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Find the better way.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5x3qMIifzwuBEKiAbwHEv8ykGmHwIh5zAACj1VrnZhJI9TlYA7QFUaABrIrQnTlqYQU1cYfWlUg4P9v_B0O2EXA0iea4Xs0YVTexhquAGt6_tuEts4cW-T03XDZkbf449MaxNVDJT04/s1600/P1010060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5x3qMIifzwuBEKiAbwHEv8ykGmHwIh5zAACj1VrnZhJI9TlYA7QFUaABrIrQnTlqYQU1cYfWlUg4P9v_B0O2EXA0iea4Xs0YVTexhquAGt6_tuEts4cW-T03XDZkbf449MaxNVDJT04/s200/P1010060.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-73987689487819722742018-04-28T01:15:00.000-07:002018-04-28T01:15:36.415-07:00Sun Wheel - Brigid's Cross<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWjJFDDtvXM-7yPYpIkViYjWCivJXq746rgklcV85z5W-9ZyR0Yns3OF6UH77dUyWUCGVHdUQ9K4jPfJzI37Dt95YAiqGb6t9bJbKXu2WEoEi6pkjnJ6-H0vczTvYFlPQb8ciH08yMxo/s1600/DSC_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWjJFDDtvXM-7yPYpIkViYjWCivJXq746rgklcV85z5W-9ZyR0Yns3OF6UH77dUyWUCGVHdUQ9K4jPfJzI37Dt95YAiqGb6t9bJbKXu2WEoEi6pkjnJ6-H0vczTvYFlPQb8ciH08yMxo/s400/DSC_0726.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compact Rush - Juncus conglomeratus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqvEwhyPKpIQTN5QOBZsTgDJg0ohYR9fwChe33tlDBfaUbHR4y-Vr-HkabprgnmBfCdS2rT88Uw6qf7eFXPW7ruLJomt-NxcmGxXhfkw5aaWGIafWDQoyBH48JbU24FBVmFBA2BfTcmU/s1600/DSC_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqvEwhyPKpIQTN5QOBZsTgDJg0ohYR9fwChe33tlDBfaUbHR4y-Vr-HkabprgnmBfCdS2rT88Uw6qf7eFXPW7ruLJomt-NxcmGxXhfkw5aaWGIafWDQoyBH48JbU24FBVmFBA2BfTcmU/s400/DSC_0727.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvested Rushes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On a rainy Tuesday, I decided to renew our <i>Brigid's cross</i>. Traditionally, in Ireland, this is done on the first of February. Here in Sweden, the season is a little less advanced and the snows have not long gone. Above you can see the rush growing next to a small stream and the harvested rushes ready to be brought home and weaved.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxVPGFJ0-22g-gxKH583YbmrInOX11-654FJH8XARoRzIzdJ0d4B6wIE_EMF-FyFbvr8HBmfW5VIC67STS6BhOXrMddIINezT2w41hAAreHSxOGDJ-HW5L8GV9Elu35CO4mXZz1nLo5s/s1600/DSC_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxVPGFJ0-22g-gxKH583YbmrInOX11-654FJH8XARoRzIzdJ0d4B6wIE_EMF-FyFbvr8HBmfW5VIC67STS6BhOXrMddIINezT2w41hAAreHSxOGDJ-HW5L8GV9Elu35CO4mXZz1nLo5s/s400/DSC_0729.JPG" width="224" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This particular form of woven reed cross is Irish in origin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is called a St Brigid's cross after a 5th-century nun, but its origins almost certainly predate Christianity. That three armed crosses are also known alludes to its ancient roots.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLWKb0aJnp1weypdmLz-kdtxPzgH36DH-QbKf13c160jbKg7aOQk-TtmN82-YPCo5UEw3SCAL3CqTXO9r4ZNkzesXFCK5iqFqtP4fOlQ0dMdIKVv_ud1wHKrH3T9-VMBBQ1i6QuXac0o/s400/DSC_0730.JPG" width="224" /><br />
The crosses are created <span style="text-align: center;">by folding reeds in half and weaving them at right angles to the previous one. Traditionally they are made in</span><span style="text-align: center;"> as spring returns and are associated with purification and protection, prosperity and blessings. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;">In pagan Ireland, the great Goddess Brigid, a member of the Tuatha-de-Danann, or Tribe of the Goddess Danann, was c</span><span style="text-align: center;">elebrated as the Goddess of Spring, dawn and the returning light.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> These crosses were associated with the Goddess Brigid long before they became associated with Saint Brigit. Indeed the popularity of Saint Brigit maybe due to the people of Irelands love of the Goddess Brigid. Saint and Goddess share similar attributes.</span></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Christian missionaries adopted Brigid's cross to bring the "pagan" communities into the Christian fold. Both the pagan Goddess Brigit and the Christian Saint Brigid have become inseparably linked within this symbol.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGWEAocFHS_rMueSsc5hfTgTnI-feP1Gpy1mYCcWfkoi75g-yy26iZOpfQt6AOi-H-slxeXVFCChCdRvVmHhyphenhyphenVgoMfbb9om65BQ9pboLuWLkWgu_-lPdbZzChaHH6QO4VQhQ5mYqpFis/s400/DSC_0731.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="224" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reeds are folded in two at right angles to the previous reed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE2XvDeiTlmNcCJmUCnocjs-jSzXBUDaTH9O8lgv4wO41jdBnlFZlqUiPZlwri0h5wcnPy0RYP916ytzOG6TVbIexGqwE929cQo4k9s8BR1JYEFxcjCfelCxeA9DPbtr0OxUpnjkjqWw/s1600/DSC_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE2XvDeiTlmNcCJmUCnocjs-jSzXBUDaTH9O8lgv4wO41jdBnlFZlqUiPZlwri0h5wcnPy0RYP916ytzOG6TVbIexGqwE929cQo4k9s8BR1JYEFxcjCfelCxeA9DPbtr0OxUpnjkjqWw/s640/DSC_0735.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually, a four-armed cross is formed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGWEAocFHS_rMueSsc5hfTgTnI-feP1Gpy1mYCcWfkoi75g-yy26iZOpfQt6AOi-H-slxeXVFCChCdRvVmHhyphenhyphenVgoMfbb9om65BQ9pboLuWLkWgu_-lPdbZzChaHH6QO4VQhQ5mYqpFis/s1600/DSC_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho194lNMxo88uDVdMcaae3ZlzrNrGU71TH4hqvGwxpi-3l3XoDN6MUbGPGfCFurKmIdP7kiyIvnGK0accvww7GITL_se5gjBEzMTugAR5Gb6pD4fcUV_DtyyRfAXmID7aprsVl9PwfSFI/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho194lNMxo88uDVdMcaae3ZlzrNrGU71TH4hqvGwxpi-3l3XoDN6MUbGPGfCFurKmIdP7kiyIvnGK0accvww7GITL_se5gjBEzMTugAR5Gb6pD4fcUV_DtyyRfAXmID7aprsVl9PwfSFI/s640/DSC_0739.JPG" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continue adding reed stems until the cross consists of four arms and a central weaved piece, the four arms are then bound and cut to length.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-MGYzUJH67rPR7IiVjpvvcrCi92-gG9gBDjvBoboO64SGQspMJ6-7QAqhK59l-zda8ZAIRaaBjwyvDAAQQinydr87RsxdXzWZziQVUvMiXBcu-XWVZCDb9Kg-lHiszzuhrwJ6GXRlUw/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-MGYzUJH67rPR7IiVjpvvcrCi92-gG9gBDjvBoboO64SGQspMJ6-7QAqhK59l-zda8ZAIRaaBjwyvDAAQQinydr87RsxdXzWZziQVUvMiXBcu-XWVZCDb9Kg-lHiszzuhrwJ6GXRlUw/s200/DSC_0741.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyc2B48yamtSXyyNYsiEerFDlOLoysraQfEopy4QI3ywHNYEH5a03w13J6-2ViYFLEDcnBQ7svJEAwOFX4kKZPxVlxbONs5CCNVAqZfMJPORds57AWreghIrt24EWPMcvc8EgnQZLBBk/s1600/DSC_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyc2B48yamtSXyyNYsiEerFDlOLoysraQfEopy4QI3ywHNYEH5a03w13J6-2ViYFLEDcnBQ7svJEAwOFX4kKZPxVlxbONs5CCNVAqZfMJPORds57AWreghIrt24EWPMcvc8EgnQZLBBk/s200/DSC_0740.JPG" width="112" /></a> We make one every year, and hang it above a prominent doorway or window. The old one is burnt and the ashes scattered on one's land or property for extra blessings for the coming year. Although this is an Irish custom similar practices were common in Europe and Scandinavia. It has a long history going back further than recorded history.<br />
It is very similar to the Sun Cross of European prehistory and also the Swatztiki of Vedic India. A symbol associated with prosperity, blessings and good luck. In fact, this symbol and its variants are found in nearly all cultures across the world, with similar meanings and qualities associated with it. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRpN_laL3HwEmmZI1yXqMBPqYaLqqdVZ5Q1EDenTak2ECMceEEMyq4s8CaxhSXcXVCEbaTK754Io11k96dAxFqHAb4G8vJiEFsx1Ophywmr6w8DXtiN7tCGhvVgbey25nC91C2DZq1PM/s1600/DSC_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRpN_laL3HwEmmZI1yXqMBPqYaLqqdVZ5Q1EDenTak2ECMceEEMyq4s8CaxhSXcXVCEbaTK754Io11k96dAxFqHAb4G8vJiEFsx1Ophywmr6w8DXtiN7tCGhvVgbey25nC91C2DZq1PM/s640/DSC_0742.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old and new... We will burn last years cross and spread the ashes at the entrance of the home to attract good luck during the coming year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJXz3I2KHfN_A_Cokw6XtJbyCIJzNYp2bLL9Ult-y8NzUk4RYWWv3D-KSEpiY0D0534XHXRU-94HJ8LHBM5Zg0I6pw5xfmON9Kvvgvsae_GCxbwxc1I9eVRjA14DAniDgwEdDLI-PcKk/s1600/DSC_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJXz3I2KHfN_A_Cokw6XtJbyCIJzNYp2bLL9Ult-y8NzUk4RYWWv3D-KSEpiY0D0534XHXRU-94HJ8LHBM5Zg0I6pw5xfmON9Kvvgvsae_GCxbwxc1I9eVRjA14DAniDgwEdDLI-PcKk/s640/DSC_0743.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-90600244402379204152018-04-24T08:46:00.001-07:002018-04-24T08:46:45.542-07:00Kombucha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Kombucha fermenting is going exceptionally well with the last batch being very fizzy and tasty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are expanding how much we are making and trying some different varieties.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yir1yZILz_0ffIoNCUcJ_dPutxpW2X2uMI7ziw2exQ-Rh-MGsLfgpuvNhvrWiNIUIhkl_-nxrhIiFsDo-mfDpzuqjCBc0cxRq1Oyh4s3xFFl_NAOwUO_XzODTCPuuJCpqM5fFNiaBC8/s1600/DSC_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yir1yZILz_0ffIoNCUcJ_dPutxpW2X2uMI7ziw2exQ-Rh-MGsLfgpuvNhvrWiNIUIhkl_-nxrhIiFsDo-mfDpzuqjCBc0cxRq1Oyh4s3xFFl_NAOwUO_XzODTCPuuJCpqM5fFNiaBC8/s640/DSC_0712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiling ten liters of water to make the latest batch of Kombucha.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The scoby was split into two pieces and each will grow again to become a new whole. We will bottle some and do a double fermentation, this time with some fresh ginger.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV4j-lFGgr6DFTaOs4vVeQX3-Z6i-HNu1_q-_hdlKv14WwsmQzYpZZQfh8Z1baqbb7t96Y7sUfJRX2R-xb17Uy4saJF-xO5zxuRBbEDruRHL_PEN3goHSoFhoBSGnu2EgZfMMo9iGv-8/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATm_HwVpEj4g3UoDV0p3ri7GijueGJ3sfCIVMPziVhq8MjV5c3NRjYro6a8Y0WEVK0-Qtm2mTgfoNvY4F5s6e9mkoO4kvDvL1A9ZS4sOEpXCTTr5PeWk8tSy3NN0Xqkrx55mTa-0kRhA/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATm_HwVpEj4g3UoDV0p3ri7GijueGJ3sfCIVMPziVhq8MjV5c3NRjYro6a8Y0WEVK0-Qtm2mTgfoNvY4F5s6e9mkoO4kvDvL1A9ZS4sOEpXCTTr5PeWk8tSy3NN0Xqkrx55mTa-0kRhA/s640/DSC_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time we are making five liters of green tea and five liters of black</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOtjHADpouwum5tK3_Z1oNeBcs6bIAYSeac9E4G547slnDZN6li5gyTv_UyX6gC5K_YbWAWIRjhUgfhqqCvJBjohGK-atTxvEI2rupQqgbbMioOxI_eeOCh_PpC_9Kr39w_Tn9DxG1OQ/s1600/DSC_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOtjHADpouwum5tK3_Z1oNeBcs6bIAYSeac9E4G547slnDZN6li5gyTv_UyX6gC5K_YbWAWIRjhUgfhqqCvJBjohGK-atTxvEI2rupQqgbbMioOxI_eeOCh_PpC_9Kr39w_Tn9DxG1OQ/s640/DSC_0714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two new batches ready to ferment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We found some cheap five-liter glass dispenser jars that are ideal for the kombucha and more effective than the bowl style jar we were using before. The taps will reduce any chance of cross-contamination and are much better suited than using a ladle to get kombucha out of the jar as we have done previously.</span>agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-2446831639499547892018-04-20T12:24:00.000-07:002018-04-20T12:24:57.814-07:00A Vedic Journey To Meet Natures Hidden Teachers - Apple<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Apple</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (Malus pumila)</i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ppo-kqsfr2catWPnJV_r6L4Odg5IRKW_S2QrFg__0ZoJ7f4rUdjZWcBdOqARsOfKtNrimOxvAR3Lw5V7an8bf9tLcEXJJhAD2w_Xp6P67hBTLEufIYKTnEXeViiRHhM7cT3-s_AIxgk/s1600/apple-apple-tree-apples-574919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ppo-kqsfr2catWPnJV_r6L4Odg5IRKW_S2QrFg__0ZoJ7f4rUdjZWcBdOqARsOfKtNrimOxvAR3Lw5V7an8bf9tLcEXJJhAD2w_Xp6P67hBTLEufIYKTnEXeViiRHhM7cT3-s_AIxgk/s400/apple-apple-tree-apples-574919.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source; pexels.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Apple trees drilled neatly in lines on a sunny hillside full of pinkish white blooms are a pleasing sight in the countryside. The apple tree has lived alongside us and shared our lives for as long as there have been people to cultivate them. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are, for obvious reasons, naturally drawn to fruit trees </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">i.e: the need for food. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have planted, cared for, pruned and harvested them wherever we have settled. Unfortunately, in more recent times we have genetically modified them, and what a great loss this has been to natural diversity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The domesticated apple tree and its wild cousin that we refer to as "crab" apple are small to medium-sized trees. They produce the well-known fruit after the attractive five-petaled flowers have been pollinated. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There is a characteristic of the apple tree which has led to a wide diversity of farming methods. This is the trees ability to be "grafted", which revolutionized the different strains and varieties of fruit available.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Grafting is the ability of a host tree to accept a cutting of another tree. Meaning that you can take the branch from one tree and by making small clean cuts join it to a parent tree. The parent tree will then heal the wound and accept the new branch as its own. The newly joined branch will grow the same variety of fruit even if the parent tree is of a different strain. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A practical example of this; I worked for some years tending the trees on a friends apple farm. One of the trees there had 5 separate varieties of apple growing on the same tree! Interestingly, all modern apple trees have to be grafted on a crab apple tree stock at a young age to then grow the variety of apple needed. If you plant an apple seed you will not necessarily grow the same variety of apple as you have planted. All varieties of apple are grown by grafting only, it is the only way to conserve and continue a particular variety of fruit.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxEPYwMU8jxWhy5CdTJCjw6QBx8pnPcLfOnSHwJyIW0U4CKARzHNTeI3lZVsVEAJ9uFJZgTukml3H9uHIhgNKPfPG9DRZUmbE2TuTCtJ8LVcON_j01QTG-MI-UzUGD3HJbpV-XCi-OHQ/s1600/Cheerfull-Gold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="382" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxEPYwMU8jxWhy5CdTJCjw6QBx8pnPcLfOnSHwJyIW0U4CKARzHNTeI3lZVsVEAJ9uFJZgTukml3H9uHIhgNKPfPG9DRZUmbE2TuTCtJ8LVcON_j01QTG-MI-UzUGD3HJbpV-XCi-OHQ/s320/Cheerfull-Gold.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">On a more personal and symbolic level, who is the apple tree? The apple tree is a tree of giving, sharing, and perseverance. This tree is a symbol of love and the human condition played out around the mythic world tree. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The apple tree gives its fruit endlessly year after year. The flowers have a heady aroma which is a favorite of bees and many types of butterflies. The perfume becomes stronger during the warm summer nights. In the Autumn months, one can see many wasps joining in the insect throng, gorging themselves on the bountiful harvest of apples. The Orchard buzzes all year round with a sleepy drone of insect humming accompanied by doves cooing.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In many ways, it is symbolic of our preoccupation with sour day to day wants and desires. The apple is the material world, Maya's seductive fruit, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">with which we are tempted</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. It is often told in the biblical story of Adam and Eve that the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge was an apple, and the eating of it cast us out of the original garden... out from the spiritual platform.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The image of the apple has been woven throughout story and mythology and spiritual topics where ever she shows up. Just think of the European fairytale traditions where you will find stories of enchanted apples putting some intrepid hero or lovelorn damsel to sleep, or silver apple laden branches entitling one entry to some underworld or elfland.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The comparison to the souls conditioning in illusion is obvious, eating the forbidden fruit causes forgetfulness and sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRbyNnJfg1e7TaBjNm2UdTW4nj6Vv7DkFIQ8NgOvvkHLzSMEcoloBk9NM4vUjEjc383KYHntKkRWKjP9evSGeBymVGKqGZjwNi4T8F6Z2lmWZV8f2k6R5JsRRcFzTIFVT0BkMYwLaYL0/s1600/cameo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRbyNnJfg1e7TaBjNm2UdTW4nj6Vv7DkFIQ8NgOvvkHLzSMEcoloBk9NM4vUjEjc383KYHntKkRWKjP9evSGeBymVGKqGZjwNi4T8F6Z2lmWZV8f2k6R5JsRRcFzTIFVT0BkMYwLaYL0/s1600/cameo.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A wild apple tree has a different energy compared to a domesticated apple tree. The crab apple feels darker and more archaic. The limbs and branches of the tree grow more erect, the fruit is tart and small, the leaves are small and dark. The crab apple retains a feeling of wild nature, free and untrained.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A domesticated apple tree is more welcoming and friendly than its wild cousin. The limbs of a domesticated tree are more open and inviting, the fruit is sweeter and larger, the leaves are bigger and lighter green in color. Sadly, when modern farming methods are used for high-intensity fruit production the trees often look stunted and tortured. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aside from the tree's association with illusion, it also speaks of love, life, and the human condition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To give someone an apple is an act of love and appreciation, it is the stereotypical bringing an apple to a favorite teacher. It is said that an apple shared between two people will cause friendship or love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An apple is packed full of nutrients, minerals and trace elements. So goes the old adage, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The pre-Christian festival of <i>Samhain</i></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">which was</span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">celebrated in Celtic countries, </span>coincided with the end of the apple harvest and featured<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> apples in the celebration. It was an ancestor festival and the start of the pagan new year and so apples became associated with the dead. They were often piled up on altars as offerings to the ancestors. The modern survival of this tradition is children playing the game of </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">"bobbing for apples"</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> at Halloween. Old folk magic tells of making wishes by carving your intention into an apple and returning it to nature, as it is eaten or rots away so your intention comes to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My favorite stories concerning the apple tree come from the folktales of America concerning Johnny Appleseed.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzepFwn7aA73_oLOAahCBDJGJV9pUNsHyyZjm4Cpn-xzs5JFWuZ12fw8ym3StKFidJ68hwwH0sFh2zR1iy1D_SrhcyJxHXhoaWkbdwb7-yv7ZHrIc3YBfVW4oXCoLLUOCxeoQLL6YCmy8/s1600/Johnny_Appleseed_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzepFwn7aA73_oLOAahCBDJGJV9pUNsHyyZjm4Cpn-xzs5JFWuZ12fw8ym3StKFidJ68hwwH0sFh2zR1iy1D_SrhcyJxHXhoaWkbdwb7-yv7ZHrIc3YBfVW4oXCoLLUOCxeoQLL6YCmy8/s320/Johnny_Appleseed_1.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="reference-text" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px; text-align: left;">. Howe's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Collections_of_Ohio" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Historical Collections of Ohio">Historical Collections of Ohio</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Johnny Appleseed walked across frontier America in the late 18th and early 19th centuries starting apple nurseries wherever he went. Johnny Appleseed planted apple trees to show people a peaceable, vegetarian way to eat. He was a strict vegetarian himself, traveled bare-foot, and wore his cooking pot as a hat. He was a preacher and taught people the Word of God. He became a legend even within his own lifetime. He was loved and respected by Natives and settlers alike.</span><br />
<br />
<i><b>"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;">He preached the gospel as he traveled, and during his travels, he converted many </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas" style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Indigenous peoples of the Americas"><span style="color: black;">Native Americans</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;">, whom he admired. The Native Americans regarded him as someone who had been touched by the Great Spirit, and even hostile tribes left him strictly alone". </span></b></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'll end this blog post with one further story about Johnny Appleseed, hope you like it and see you in the next blog post!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 14px;">"</span>One cool autumnal night, while lying by his camp-fire in the woods, he observed that the mosquitoes flew in the blaze and were burned. Johnny, who wore on his head a tin utensil which answered both as a cap and a mush pot, filled it with water and quenched the fire, and afterward remarked, "God forbid that I should build a fire for my comfort, that should be the means of destroying any of His creatures."</i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<b><i>Another time, he allegedly made a camp-fire in a snowstorm at the end of a hollow log in which he intended to pass the night but found it occupied by a bear and cubs, so he removed his fire to the other end and slept on the snow in the open air, rather than disturb the bear."</i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks for reading, please comment and share!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sources:</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> </span><span class="reference-text" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Howe" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Henry Howe">Howe, Henry</a> (1903). Richland County. Howe's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Collections_of_Ohio" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Historical Collections of Ohio">Historical Collections of Ohio</a> (485), New York:Dover.</span><br />
<span class="reference-text" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #f1f4f5; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "tex gyre heros" , "texgyreheros" , "freesans" , "nimbus sans l" , "liberation sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-indent: -28px;">“Johnny Appleseed.” </span><i style="background-color: #f1f4f5; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", HelveticaNeue, "TeX Gyre Heros", TeXGyreHeros, FreeSans, "Nimbus Sans L", "Liberation Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-indent: -28px;">Wikipedia</i><span style="background-color: #f1f4f5; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helveticaneue" , "tex gyre heros" , "texgyreheros" , "freesans" , "nimbus sans l" , "liberation sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-indent: -28px;">, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Apr. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Appleseed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #eaf3ff; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Kacirk, Jeffrey (1997). </span><i style="background-color: #eaf3ff; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">Forgotten English</i><span style="background-color: #eaf3ff; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">. New York: William Morrow & Co. </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Number" style="background: none rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="International Standard Book Number">ISBN</a><span style="background-color: #eaf3ff; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-688-15018-7" style="background: none rgb(234, 243, 255); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Special:BookSources/0-688-15018-7">0-688-15018-7</a><span style="background-color: #eaf3ff; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.6px;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-59572570058550834682018-04-13T13:47:00.000-07:002018-04-13T21:47:35.925-07:00Recovering From Addiction<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am an addict. I've been so most of my life. From a young age up to the present day, there is a tendency in me to abuse my senses in every possible way. From sugar and food to drugs, alcohol and destructive emotions, I've struggled with addiction as long as I can remember.<br /><br />I think most people are addicted to something, in one way or another, whether it be to the more obvious and destructive things that we associate with addiction; alcohol and drugs, sex, gambling, and violence, to the more subtle addictions like behavior patterns or over-eating.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMXcy4ukRva9E1vJzw6ylj2A9hzsn-9CcVmTLi-_DUNmt1zNHoKJUQi_3HeHm8LLW-53YNDqFxy8T0IwtGNcAxv8RMUKwgvknZB4FzzfGo-vFEqDeWCwWJJwFNknrtDt5akFn4pRMgwM/s1600/addiction-adult-capsule-271171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMXcy4ukRva9E1vJzw6ylj2A9hzsn-9CcVmTLi-_DUNmt1zNHoKJUQi_3HeHm8LLW-53YNDqFxy8T0IwtGNcAxv8RMUKwgvknZB4FzzfGo-vFEqDeWCwWJJwFNknrtDt5akFn4pRMgwM/s320/addiction-adult-capsule-271171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">source; pixabay.com</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My addictive tendency has come from a feeling of pain and emptiness. There has been, in my life, a need to fill up the emotional void inside of me where there should have been feelings of love, connectedness, and higher purpose. Yet, at least those of us who have gone through conventional education and shaping by popular culture, we are taught the very opposite principles. We are taught that we don't really matter, that this earth is in some far-flung corner of the universe and we are insignificant. We are taught that life arose by chance interactions between chemicals and gratification of our senses is the highest goal we can hope for.<br /><br />As childhood became young adulthood I felt increasingly empty. I was finding fulfillment in external objects. Copious amounts of sugar as a child gradually turned into cigarettes, alcohol, sex and hard drugs. I was in a spiral of ever-increasing addictive habits, by which means I tried to find some satisfaction or mask the pain I felt. It worked, briefly. But the very nature of the addiction demon is to always want more, I was always searching for the next hit, regardless of consequences. I hurt people, stole, lied and destroyed because of my addictions and I did it without remorse, to fulfill my own selfish needs, not considering how it would affect the people around me.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4RXOUFYt7hg-L4YEN2RQ7uDqSoXd-dWz46YNVz9pg0NvG7WQqPObmdJHtA01uoZJLhyphenhyphenj1cCCM7Ln_lLL3BsdV7mFTr6uho1MIdA3FOKQ-xCOUBvknQ2ST9ym2ga-Y8Iga0fIN6xyWP0/s1600/stock-photo-addiction-escape-drug-vr-addict-jobless-junkie-cyberpunk-hopelessness-61bbbe9a-70f4-4824-a7a7-63937e2df95c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4RXOUFYt7hg-L4YEN2RQ7uDqSoXd-dWz46YNVz9pg0NvG7WQqPObmdJHtA01uoZJLhyphenhyphenj1cCCM7Ln_lLL3BsdV7mFTr6uho1MIdA3FOKQ-xCOUBvknQ2ST9ym2ga-Y8Iga0fIN6xyWP0/s320/stock-photo-addiction-escape-drug-vr-addict-jobless-junkie-cyberpunk-hopelessness-61bbbe9a-70f4-4824-a7a7-63937e2df95c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source:Twenty20.com</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Addiction is an illness. And it is not something that can be cured by one's own efforts, some external catalyst is often needed to trigger the healing. Perhaps there is no real cure for addiction. But there is education, coping techniques, and God-given grace. My first real transition to the road of recovery came in a peculiar way.<br />By some seeming chance encounter, I met a person on a city street in Scotland. That person placed in my mouth a great treasure, something that would change my relationship with addiction and therefore my life. That thing was a word. That word was <b><i>Gouranga</i></b>. <br />That same person also gave me books, CD's, incense as well as the strangest word I had ever heard. In that moment the vast and timeless knowledge of ancient India carried, worshipped, taught by sages and wise people for millennia, landed on the tongue of a drug-addict in a grubby, trash-filled, city street. It was beautiful. The first step on the long road to recovery was taken.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-wgqYB_3uLxYPlm8hPffpZv5Tasf1JxqWF6nRriv050Iu6Am3InbRx3CHNHrO3987RAR0xnjHmjj1rnPLGJD8F2Wrd3htscesHxInWppSlKwUeIUE1vuPWPYVGY-aBYWbQ8XdZs-2A0/s1600/124304433_2262deecda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-wgqYB_3uLxYPlm8hPffpZv5Tasf1JxqWF6nRriv050Iu6Am3InbRx3CHNHrO3987RAR0xnjHmjj1rnPLGJD8F2Wrd3htscesHxInWppSlKwUeIUE1vuPWPYVGY-aBYWbQ8XdZs-2A0/s320/124304433_2262deecda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> source:http://static.flickr.com/56/124304433_2262deecda.jpg?v=0</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I'm fifteen years on from that first step, and 12 years clean from drugs. I'm still an addict but my addictions, although still harmful, are less destructive and have a lesser grip on me. Instead of self-destructive binges of drugs I see my addictive tendencies manifest in over-eating, procrastinating or drinking caffeine. The difference is that I am much more aware of my illness now. I can recognize its harmful pattern. What was given to me in a moment of compassion by a stranger was a key to unlock the knot in my heart and set me on the road to recovery from my madness.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-Q5t_keWPkJ-fslXqPs_330TaZ4ctTu55FynDdeybgeW4RyJhAKQfm02Xq8GK0fjkeqMJqlFcU5UtJNX5k9f8HhZcM9nSHYgV-g3MkOQdOACallwLs0320bxXetETnOTkejzMeCHJso/s1600/1157db6d17d76be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="400" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-Q5t_keWPkJ-fslXqPs_330TaZ4ctTu55FynDdeybgeW4RyJhAKQfm02Xq8GK0fjkeqMJqlFcU5UtJNX5k9f8HhZcM9nSHYgV-g3MkOQdOACallwLs0320bxXetETnOTkejzMeCHJso/s200/1157db6d17d76be.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mantra, meditation, spiritual knowledge and heart to heart connections with spiritual people, all these things have helped me come to terms with addiction and bring me to the realization that life does have meaning. Spiritual activities helped me realize that we are loved on the most basic and fundamental level. Each and every one of us has been created for good reason, each and every one of us can have a personal relationship with that very thing which has created us. In surrendering to a higher power we can be protected from the noxious grip of our addictions and instead function from a place where we are better able to understand our self. We can stop living in fear and confusion and live more authentically, grounded in a place of gratefulness and understanding.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span> </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know from practical and tangible experience that mantra, meditation, and spiritual life are the remedies and medicine for the madness that we as a species find ourselves afflicted with. As a young man I was a mess, yet somehow these activities have guided me back to sanity and happiness. It can take us away from the hole and take us back to the wholeness.<br />Practicing mantra and meditation has helped me to rediscover the beauty of life that seemed so apparent to me as a child., the beauty I had forgotten. The more one practices the more the grip of addiction loosens. I don't know if my addictive tendency will ever go away completely, I just hope and pray that if it doesn't then I can become addicted to the things that are beneficial to myself, to others and to the environment. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />If you are suffering from addiction, or know someone who is, don't suffer alone, get informed and get checked into a program. There are many 12-step and similar programs available.<br />Here are links to people and groups who have inspired or helped me in one way or another:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">OIDA Therapy</span><br />
<a href="http://www.oidatherapy.org/index.html">http://www.oidatherapy.org/index.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Russel Brand </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.russellbrand.com/recovery/#main">https://www.russellbrand.com/recovery/#main</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKzsr8Y1ndy1LpldarbuDv1THeIPEjFkIeoAXe4mUbb_-GYqjNm0Aw0nryAqHlGL-XWHVAOOUiPPznf1bY9XwC1LUOEQOmHzvzfp8gyBC9hYZ40Rtj33qIPA-IARFRQHSsK6GE43qbTI/s1600/Pink+Mandala+Massage+Logo+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKzsr8Y1ndy1LpldarbuDv1THeIPEjFkIeoAXe4mUbb_-GYqjNm0Aw0nryAqHlGL-XWHVAOOUiPPznf1bY9XwC1LUOEQOmHzvzfp8gyBC9hYZ40Rtj33qIPA-IARFRQHSsK6GE43qbTI/s200/Pink+Mandala+Massage+Logo+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-23683522311325285372018-04-08T00:22:00.000-07:002018-04-08T03:14:56.800-07:00Catch up<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbzOQQa4k09nu_9MaNhWaGK94ZP_JctYJaFj3R3KzhEFwknXvB80zfqQsKk-gU8Ce52Xgnib-hPb1MlpY8Bm5KzhYnGz4rP7zDrRpXPqLE8-PnoJI4aVFf-indtZpIfF3-VniQluaGkk/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbzOQQa4k09nu_9MaNhWaGK94ZP_JctYJaFj3R3KzhEFwknXvB80zfqQsKk-gU8Ce52Xgnib-hPb1MlpY8Bm5KzhYnGz4rP7zDrRpXPqLE8-PnoJI4aVFf-indtZpIfF3-VniQluaGkk/s320/DSC_0673.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The garden of Gaura Nitai is growing well, the seeds are sprouting en masse. We planted some cress seeds behind the main stone seat and in the front corners of the altar, they sprouted within a day or two. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some of the willows look like they will not grow whilst others look like they are taking root. If they do not grow then I will plant some climbing plants to grow over the trellis to create a similar effect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT4h-Htv5TLaco_E_hzAHd6jGPWX-NLslWet9qwqUCR96Wb28S2Hu5oWK_Y4Kgj4W0bKpoXjjnfIC26dskW3pdYTgEU6AYG5H-EfkwEMvq2skga2Hfwkwit1TRP4rDLBIDB_9yHgDRrA/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT4h-Htv5TLaco_E_hzAHd6jGPWX-NLslWet9qwqUCR96Wb28S2Hu5oWK_Y4Kgj4W0bKpoXjjnfIC26dskW3pdYTgEU6AYG5H-EfkwEMvq2skga2Hfwkwit1TRP4rDLBIDB_9yHgDRrA/s640/DSC_0676.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T<i style="font-size: medium;">his beautiful Hyacintha was a gift from friends on a delightful and unexpected visit, sweet fragrance now grace's Gaura's garden!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The kombucha was tasty and refreshing. I separated and bottled the gallon that we made last week. Two of the jars got pieces of grapefruit to flavour the kombucha and help add some extra fizz. I also started a second batch of Kombucha using some of the old and the same recipe as previously. Next time I plan to try out black tea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqfJn0M9dKmArtzhJRmKH8pQZ3PmwPI7JKVGR4stbraAr84QW251tF9hABWvLWWTs-I7v0VQf2bjt2VSfcbXg2qrZCHV0SjHPTAyQYivfxjjOqdlJq83aXs-NmTffXobBHtgGEaYqzbc/s1600/DSC_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqfJn0M9dKmArtzhJRmKH8pQZ3PmwPI7JKVGR4stbraAr84QW251tF9hABWvLWWTs-I7v0VQf2bjt2VSfcbXg2qrZCHV0SjHPTAyQYivfxjjOqdlJq83aXs-NmTffXobBHtgGEaYqzbc/s640/DSC_0686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">Please feel free to comment on and share via social media any of these blog posts.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I don't have social media so the support is valuable and much appreciated!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Namaste!</span></i></b></div>
<br />agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-20428921522634455112018-04-06T12:59:00.000-07:002018-04-07T00:32:14.087-07:00Creating Mandalas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b> Mandalas - Finding Centre </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Greetings! I love art that is shifting. Art that <b><i>is</i></b> for a brief moment in time and then gone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have always been captivated by artists that comb out pictures on a sandy beach only for the breaking waves to wash it away hours later, by street artists on their knees chalking out some beautiful picture with dusty hands on city pavements. I'm captivated by the painstakingly intricate <i>sand mandalas</i> of Buddhist monks, or by the beautifully sweet <i>Kolams </i>made by the housewives<i> </i>of southern India.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All of these things inspired me to make my own humble mandalas and nature offerings.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CrIkRwhjteydsHlTANzumBZkJqm5bkYTaNIoJDsT5Y90RGdwm49VTMSAXL4u1-oN-1T61e04G3eG-sXIAQ9OC8l-2kVs4jeGRSvVhSdG4XqSlIULiEho0mbBSvU2jcpV9Rxh3UGg3lU/s1600/P1010156+-+Edited.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CrIkRwhjteydsHlTANzumBZkJqm5bkYTaNIoJDsT5Y90RGdwm49VTMSAXL4u1-oN-1T61e04G3eG-sXIAQ9OC8l-2kVs4jeGRSvVhSdG4XqSlIULiEho0mbBSvU2jcpV9Rxh3UGg3lU/s640/P1010156+-+Edited.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Celebrating the whole...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Using natural ingredients that are found readily and creating a meditation moment these mandalas are an offering back of what is given freely by Mother Nature. Most importantly this mandala art was created with love and thanks, knowing it will return to the elements from which it came. Whether that means being eaten by wildlife, washed away in the rain, blown away by the wind, or even being shared with people by way of celebration or photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HRILwxVt6z2v_qJgnewCmD7npOSqljUjEYiWW4sZjiUJ6vjQ_Bdzv7jtoNtYt7Ibtb5JdyzjeFf0Ui7v_wXLIehk78Lqt5jXWqSHfDwjqE5j1AC57JaRDUFDw6SDqseQn9H0LMBZiJc/s1600/P9140201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HRILwxVt6z2v_qJgnewCmD7npOSqljUjEYiWW4sZjiUJ6vjQ_Bdzv7jtoNtYt7Ibtb5JdyzjeFf0Ui7v_wXLIehk78Lqt5jXWqSHfDwjqE5j1AC57JaRDUFDw6SDqseQn9H0LMBZiJc/s640/P9140201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Taking what nature has graciously given and offering it back with love...</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhBAF2CEY4wRh74G7TMl2pRNEmeN2xZxW2gTFOhz7tQ4qKypg0pJa18sz9ybm16ctjTdQGPiHktLu4umodZhreWgOHp874dgt-dxSkFI-Hb53kG9D9VVaG1tyzZmO5_CGYH_NmiCv_0s/s1600/P1010169.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhBAF2CEY4wRh74G7TMl2pRNEmeN2xZxW2gTFOhz7tQ4qKypg0pJa18sz9ybm16ctjTdQGPiHktLu4umodZhreWgOHp874dgt-dxSkFI-Hb53kG9D9VVaG1tyzZmO5_CGYH_NmiCv_0s/s640/P1010169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Searching for a moment of clarity...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHWBu26E8gfG6Lv7JS2Y7uOpCSB6pONzaPt3-VqKWi67dZgjtaWPcagHov3TWvRj_gcqtYrs0PV1OjHZbkd8r5P-YCAO3UOG-Bef0YFjxadrYbzzXuVTb6X9b6NiFAfIGl_4wHYcJD2M/s1600/P1010064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHWBu26E8gfG6Lv7JS2Y7uOpCSB6pONzaPt3-VqKWi67dZgjtaWPcagHov3TWvRj_gcqtYrs0PV1OjHZbkd8r5P-YCAO3UOG-Bef0YFjxadrYbzzXuVTb6X9b6NiFAfIGl_4wHYcJD2M/s640/P1010064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Devotees cultivating gratitude.</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <i><br /></i> I create mandalas big and small, simple and complex, in town or forest, planned or unplanned whenever the mood takes me and with what is available. I find it to be creative, therapeutic and healing, an offering of love and gratitude, a way of saying thank you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5Ex_5CSI9IBqyhNfYEsrgHETqq3CH3UuKx4BhdxKLicnpklyYCrj2TRYMWUHGrlcL02vEMVRSA_4pobWg-kjPBI1IFC6sYG0mqhla9tUV9h9VMooyFOHrPTpGzM4dEkH3Kr7a7KBuAQ/s1600/P9140196.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5Ex_5CSI9IBqyhNfYEsrgHETqq3CH3UuKx4BhdxKLicnpklyYCrj2TRYMWUHGrlcL02vEMVRSA_4pobWg-kjPBI1IFC6sYG0mqhla9tUV9h9VMooyFOHrPTpGzM4dEkH3Kr7a7KBuAQ/s400/P9140196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>OM SHANTI</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_1758179048"></span><span id="goog_1758179049"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<br />agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-32013632098010796362018-04-04T12:16:00.001-07:002018-04-07T13:03:15.896-07:00Welcome to A Growing Spiritually!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwamHXrXQVIpyqq8iaEPRKW3fIAhLqM4FKa6PSbNMMEmWkl92Wxbd49IpuJVwvoMyJqNzVkDU-QkdwPmFx3eg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On this blog, we explore Vedic culture and ancient wisdom from around the world.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Together we will find ways to cultivate some peace and wholeness in a hectic modern life. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There will be weekly uploads with new exciting content.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Please comment, follow and share to join the journey. </div>
<br />
<br />agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-25985291707771294862018-04-02T00:37:00.000-07:002018-04-06T14:28:50.768-07:00A Vedic Journey To Meet Natures Hidden Teachers - Yew<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yew (Taxus Baccata) </span></i></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv25lCiAtekIaHYrfru4KGSpviKF7KY4zE2T-nIeZYg6nleqXuE70EB27II40k_igfTAs5Iy5B8c4IaDC379YYv_0lEggvYexPUuJKA01_wSEVq_D_ekPACXhwKZZsQBbUznrEYrqOVI/s1600/%255E84D97DDD2EBEEF57E8E2C8E44729D2E3FE06DF63CE1DEE9B3D%255Epimgpsh_fullsize_distr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiv25lCiAtekIaHYrfru4KGSpviKF7KY4zE2T-nIeZYg6nleqXuE70EB27II40k_igfTAs5Iy5B8c4IaDC379YYv_0lEggvYexPUuJKA01_wSEVq_D_ekPACXhwKZZsQBbUznrEYrqOVI/s640/%255E84D97DDD2EBEEF57E8E2C8E44729D2E3FE06DF63CE1DEE9B3D%255Epimgpsh_fullsize_distr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px;">
<i><br /></i></h4>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"The Blessed Lord said: There is a banyan tree which has its roots upward and its branches down and whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas</i>."<i> (</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bhagavad Gita, 15:1)</span></i></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yews have held a fascination for me since a very young age. The very aura around this tree conjures the imagination and feelings of awe. Something of the infinite seems to reach out and touch you when standing under the boughs of a venerable and aged yew. It is this tree that sparked my lifelong love of trees.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> This tree species contains, within its members, some of the oldest living beings in the world. Some of the older yew trees are difficult to date and several individuals are thought to be over 2000 years old. There is one particular tree, the Fortingall Yew, with it’s estimated age ranging between 3000 to 9500 years old! That puts it well within the lifetime of Jesus Christ. It is even possible this venerable tree was going strong when Lord Krishna’s lotus feet were treading the dust of this planet. Imagine that! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ltk4em5wPDDclkHTxoXSszm6IwujgnPi1NPR7TfHq6b-ZsZZSToQEUkq5CONov3V5SM_mhgiLHUXchA69bdLXCHq-BAFshvbRSw7EJ6lqRyEy7rFjpo9y-gjmJYJ71c3KPE4Wcw6o7Y/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ltk4em5wPDDclkHTxoXSszm6IwujgnPi1NPR7TfHq6b-ZsZZSToQEUkq5CONov3V5SM_mhgiLHUXchA69bdLXCHq-BAFshvbRSw7EJ6lqRyEy7rFjpo9y-gjmJYJ71c3KPE4Wcw6o7Y/s320/DSC_0659.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The yew<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> is an evergreen tree with glossy, flattened and lancette needles, meaning it </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">accentuates and reflects light even in the middle of winter. The wood is extremely hard, close grained and very strong. The bark is reddish in colour and flakes off the trunk easily. </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the U.K the yew is one of the first trees to flower in the early spring. The flowers themselves are very small and unremarkable, but they produce huge quantities of yellow pollen which, if the conditions are right, can form luminous clouds on sunny days. The male flowers produce the pollen and the female catkins, once pollinated, become the fruit.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The bright red berries of the yew are eaten greedily by birds. All parts of these trees are poisonous, remarkably the berries are edible. Although, as children we were always advised to stay away from them as the seeds are toxic. The tangible aura of the tree made a strong impression on me in childhood. Kids from my street would make our way to and from school through the local churchyard. Two grand old yews, one male one female, sheltered the old slab path. We would run and play around the trunks, mesmerized by the twisted mass of roots nestled above the eroded soil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yew trees were planted in pre-christian times to mark and guard sacred sites. The trees themselves were considered sacred and most likely worshipped, although this has always been contested by the academic intelligentsia. You only have to spend time with an ancient yew and cultivate a heart to heart connection to it, for it to reveal its ancient past to you.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGycgD9afzRLpRHRL9HBHaPJhL6qUG-WotWkc55wSfk_cGP58UM2lAiF7MUWzPkKw9FiofwvJHpKCz_HagC1gX5EU64wyIi-cJeSFRAChbWpDdXhrGZdLzfcVgAidRUBwAkQpd0jS-4iQ/s1600/CrowhurstYew1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGycgD9afzRLpRHRL9HBHaPJhL6qUG-WotWkc55wSfk_cGP58UM2lAiF7MUWzPkKw9FiofwvJHpKCz_HagC1gX5EU64wyIi-cJeSFRAChbWpDdXhrGZdLzfcVgAidRUBwAkQpd0jS-4iQ/s640/CrowhurstYew1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-ad87fb4d-82e8-86c3-6d88-c52529c35329"><span style="background-color: white; color: #aaaaaa; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> DONALD MACAULEY, </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27770620@N02/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FLICKR</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #aaaaaa; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CC BY-SA 2.0</span></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> After the Christianisation of Britain, the people built their churches on and around these already sacred mounds and groves. From that time onward, the Yew tree became synonymous with life and death, graveyards and churches. Henceforth, the Yew has always been associated with death and the eternal nature of the soul. The Yew is a natural doorway into understanding these mysteries. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The personality of this tree is very ancient. It talks of the oldest knowledge and remembers the vedic past. Druids, who were somewhat similar to the Brahmins of India, worshipped in groves of yew and oak. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Yew is a contender for being Yggdrasil, the world tree from Nordic mythology. New research has emerged that Yew, rather than Ash, may have been the sacred world tree worshipped at the the Temple of Uppsala, a pre christian sacred place in Sweden.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "open sans" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i>"The branches of this tree extend downward and upward, nourished by the three modes of material nature. The twigs are the objects of the senses. This tree also has roots going down, and these are bound to the fruitive actions of human society." (Bhagavad Gita, 15:2)</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> This tree reminds me of a Banyan tree and exhibits some similar characteristics and qualities, for example; the tree can propagate itself and can grow continuously. Its long branches, if left unmolested, will droop to the floor where they can take root and become new trees. Similarly, it sends up new shoots from its root systems, sometimes tens of meters from the original tree, which in turn also become new trees. Just like the banyan, the heartwood of older trees rots away while the living bark wood continues to grow outwards, meaning the trees often become hollow. All these factors make the tree difficult to age, but also makes it unique looking and long lived. There have even been documented cases of these trees getting so large that people have lived inside them!</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The fact that this tree is evergreen and looks so ancient, it makes a very strong impression on the senses. This is especially true in a temperate climate when all else is lifeless and grey in winter seasons. Yew is teaching the impermanence of life and the undying and eternal nature of the soul. The yew teaches that even after death life returns. Yew speaks of transmigration of the soul, exhibited by the fact that Yew can continuously grow even past its seeming death. Even the oldest of of trees send new and living shoots from its body long after the heart wood has died and rotted away.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEOYfwv7cfUZujhuxdqFK14EzPf6dOWjg-ElCBlcAJ7oBOgwjcWOMPRlGUze5LkfeXN2x0PZeRKInTavWU23PoUm5mIpLddKDl5dVQKywxABAfFGHp6JqkYrZZKVU1_NePy9hSXV6Wo4/s1600/42de0778-7b9b-49a0-9986-bd06301de64a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEOYfwv7cfUZujhuxdqFK14EzPf6dOWjg-ElCBlcAJ7oBOgwjcWOMPRlGUze5LkfeXN2x0PZeRKInTavWU23PoUm5mIpLddKDl5dVQKywxABAfFGHp6JqkYrZZKVU1_NePy9hSXV6Wo4/s400/42de0778-7b9b-49a0-9986-bd06301de64a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Yew speaks in an ancient language, the language of elements, the language of creation, the language of the cosmic dance. Yew invites us to step into the mystery of being, to reclaim our place as spiritual beings in relationship to the supreme reality. Yew is a doorway back.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X6wjAvGhocyKdPmpPVvHvwS6YV3dKfprDBj08EPDJTkjE1bFv6muHvkVTAXM6kWfUacbLAQUKCSYkT6xYWeCZV8b5uWT5JXqRRBRRCzp1-2Rd4MQ-8xpMT7jJ_9bOJUXwsUdw9yEBj0/s1600/DSC_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X6wjAvGhocyKdPmpPVvHvwS6YV3dKfprDBj08EPDJTkjE1bFv6muHvkVTAXM6kWfUacbLAQUKCSYkT6xYWeCZV8b5uWT5JXqRRBRRCzp1-2Rd4MQ-8xpMT7jJ_9bOJUXwsUdw9yEBj0/s640/DSC_0660.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "The real form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world. No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation is. But with determination one must cut down this tree with the weapon of detachment. So doing, one must seek that place from which, having once gone, one never returns, and there surrender to that Supreme Personality of Godhead from whom everything has begun and in whom everything is abiding since time immemorial." (Bhagavad Gita, (15:3-4)</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So what do these verses mean? They can help us contemplate and understand deeper spiritual topics. It is a message of going beyond our mundane material life. To see under the veneer of our lives. If we can hear Yew's message we are on the way towards that eternal realm. We just need to spend time with the tree and listen with an open heart.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-60546934698015479852018-03-31T06:10:00.003-07:002018-04-02T08:57:16.223-07:00Making Kombucha<b id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c15-dcc4-b826-94e7320ff0a1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.4727272727272727; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> </b><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>But it is I who am the ritual, I the sacrifice, the offering to the ancestors, the healing herb, the transcendental chant. I am the butter and the fire and the offering.
(Bhagavad Gita 9:16)</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdj2wnbnhtQSuF0eBkN1LFaBfW_WDhEg5bzxhySHKZFXCUzdlv9l2HgVd0TtsvOfE0WmbqBu0yzDn4GJ5ID2qWLKjozRJx8ceNA8KLssZ1UNCuUGkmarCIQlPanMQtaVRiVL4alY16kI/s1600/DSC_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdj2wnbnhtQSuF0eBkN1LFaBfW_WDhEg5bzxhySHKZFXCUzdlv9l2HgVd0TtsvOfE0WmbqBu0yzDn4GJ5ID2qWLKjozRJx8ceNA8KLssZ1UNCuUGkmarCIQlPanMQtaVRiVL4alY16kI/s320/DSC_0657.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.4727272727272727; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>
</b></span></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></b>I’m recently new to the world of making Kombucha, but being from Britain and a lover of anything tea related, I was an instant fan. My partner brought home a bottle of it from the health food store, which was an interesting taste experience. Several days later a scoby</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.4727272727272727; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (a symbiotic culture which ferments the tea and sugar) was given to her by a work colleague and we decided to start making the fermented tea for its amazingly claimed health benefits.
I was hesitant at first because the finished kombucha is fermented therefore has an alcohol content. Although very low at less than 0.5% content it is something that those cultivating spiritual life, especially Gaudiya Vaishnavism, should avoid.
I did some research and found a nice article by some Iskcon devotees who studied the history, chemistry and health benefits of kombucha. They considered the same problem and concluded that the benefits far outweigh these points and that the finished drink felt very Sattvic (in the mode of goodness). Which in hindsight, and after one month of drinking kombucha, I agree with. I'll put a link to the original article at the bottom of the page.
Today we are making a fresh batch, about a gallon.
The last one we made was from a quality Japanese twig tea, given to us by a friend.
This time we are trying with some ecological green tea, using some of the remaining twig tea kombucha from the last batch as a starter.
Here’s my recipe which makes approximately one gallon:
<b>4.5 liters of water
8 teabags or 2 tablespoons of loose tea (can use green, black or any variety)
One cup of sugar
Scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast)
One to two cups of kombucha from last batch (alternatively you can use distilled white vinegar, but add it gradually to taste)
</b></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.4727272727272727; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="342" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RQx6cSsQM3eb3xQQCLRBXzGRJ7thc3WbeXMLg1EJKgWASmruvRA0oZnB1casW2S3HzNn_d6dNel1zwvc71Dm5AH65qNn-sfVJe0zy0wyt-kCnR2mpVE8CzZHp_DJcimWT8XJ6thG" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="544" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Old Japanese twig tea kombucha becomes a starter for the new batch.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.4727272727272727; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c18-6659-b946-f5670338a10c" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="375" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cneaF4Y8J_aCTjm4aPoJdMaRd0AraQeuSpZfL7dZzH6wRAHOH0bddHUPQS3lbVo4Zkp3F0putUPYLk6gLU2QIhHhwQM6iTDhK4l9DbN_QOO7Dh5Fb4xf2PmisvKDB9Vo_pc6OKxU" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="269" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="376" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OqANM3MZymmU9lJjKbWnlz0zk7D1Kj_az-0Pf6GQqu7O4EQwbs6jslTY4AxGriRhnIH48ItpsNVvCRcMYe2t9S2VTy6P-gHcfeyfJ8kgXTgL_dlGgo0sDyjWifjii26-ASKLT5WR" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="269" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">...very simple to make once you have acquired the scoby. Just add water, sugar and tea</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.4727272727272727; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We boiled the water and then added the sugar and green tea. Next, we waited for the liquid to cool down so we could add the scoby and the starter liquid from the old batch</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zuhK0tplPf4qtRRQGSpIkY0Jawy0Iqz12JeSPS0-lFiDLleaNl0p13PAoUB36GgSyBz-bxVFvkwRhW9D1yk9rt1ghFsS6MlILf6bBLLfXTYK8T1WFNA5IEmIOdCGUWSE2ZirryM6" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="360" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1a-7772-6c73-a9b8d18c8a38"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scoby is going in. This is will ferment anywhere between 7 and 20 days. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzyEgj6qMG87cPTANIYw6_qFDtPZhgSlHmaN2kzMx53_xY-nk-PEffaWN8eeHjSkoA4OTRZ037sfbHQiitQhMYXoYxOU8sakMtW3NQVrYe0tQqBgN_Y5h948nzkMvf31FrP4ORx41dFY/s1600/DSC_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzyEgj6qMG87cPTANIYw6_qFDtPZhgSlHmaN2kzMx53_xY-nk-PEffaWN8eeHjSkoA4OTRZ037sfbHQiitQhMYXoYxOU8sakMtW3NQVrYe0tQqBgN_Y5h948nzkMvf31FrP4ORx41dFY/s640/DSC_0653.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I made a smaller batch also, so we can start drinking some in three or four days. The longer it is left to ferment the less sweet and more acidic in flavor kombucha becomes.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once the kombucha is in the fermenting jar we seal the top with a clean cotton cloth and wait for the magic to happen. I will check the taste in a weeks time and decide then whether to ferment more or not. It mostly comes down to personal taste.</span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #333333; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I was planning to flavor the kombucha with grapefruit pieces when we come to the bottling process, I’ll add a small piece of fruit to each bottle. You could use any fruit or herbs. Just a little spirit of imagination and experimentation needed and you could do anything.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I feel like the best benefit comes from drinking little everyday. It is refreshing and restorative. </span></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQG2QeL-S0TwFGmHJrcSOq07w7PIyp_lJelHGIOHvhJe4vXgkfEriBiL07sLphKGhfjSoaGvzGsm5db9JFq8y0x6itBCa3mlq2H4twMgfdZIW7QNIzETPfLTCv3sae-HQUJrz1joCnkY/s1600/DSC_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQG2QeL-S0TwFGmHJrcSOq07w7PIyp_lJelHGIOHvhJe4vXgkfEriBiL07sLphKGhfjSoaGvzGsm5db9JFq8y0x6itBCa3mlq2H4twMgfdZIW7QNIzETPfLTCv3sae-HQUJrz1joCnkY/s640/DSC_0657.JPG" width="360" /></a></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6">
</span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i> Ready to check in a weeks time.</i></span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c2d34b97-7c1d-3bd3-dbca-789baa7421c6">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are a number of great websites and blogs dealing with kombucha if you interested in making it yourself. Scoby cultures are also available online.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Here are some of the sites I have used:</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-kombucha-tea-at-home-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-173858">https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-kombucha-tea-at-home-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-173858</a></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.iskconmauritius.org/hare_krishna_today_magazine_vegetarianism.htm">http://www.iskconmauritius.org/hare_krishna_today_magazine_vegetarianism.htm</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</span></div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-41830810751859856182018-03-30T13:32:00.000-07:002018-04-10T12:31:55.871-07:00 Kantara-Vasini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xu0EjBMnlR1qTSE7MqS7wk1RfugbUsYHGjpo1mz-2bNgrOXJEVHuZ6pIKj4o0UDmzMHg5qZt5tAOASOj43WL2DA054XoOKAILJrfr-qUqhut1q8KKgPr4x3wgdU0TKuY0kobQXLkTws/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xu0EjBMnlR1qTSE7MqS7wk1RfugbUsYHGjpo1mz-2bNgrOXJEVHuZ6pIKj4o0UDmzMHg5qZt5tAOASOj43WL2DA054XoOKAILJrfr-qUqhut1q8KKgPr4x3wgdU0TKuY0kobQXLkTws/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In the grey light of cold dawn
</span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
She gleans her way home
Tear stained in bold defiance
Hurrying under supple limbs
The fog envelopes all
Although the night is leaving
You boundless beauty
Who captivated my heart
With modest and shy smile
Caught like a luckless fly
In the spider's web
In the fire of separation
The heart cracks
With pitiless noise
A lonely cliff
Facing winters storm</span></span></div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-18326348848068080012018-03-30T09:23:00.000-07:002018-04-02T05:13:44.493-07:00Creating An Altar Garden<div class="post-outer" style="border: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.25em; position: relative;">
<div class="post" style="margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="post-body entry-content float-container" id="post-body-8582846722301657827" style="color: #686868; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 1.5em 0px 2em;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Gaura Gaura How Does Your Garden Grow?</b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8678a2-7772-bc52-3ed6-922bf420f388"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="351" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RV5bNvO8HA5Uta8ZKLak2W1H12lJfj-ZNDG1wgP1ML5q4MOBsy3k0H_acgrqP2qK6C_SiHO1mQ1gMU_orPnuNpgNKHupJ5STK84zSTWFzYtJ2vUHBKio9ySLlszOWGZgG6CDvest" style="border: none; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="624" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I had been contemplating building a willow den for our deities for sometime, but was unsure how to incorporate it into our Altar.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> When my wife suggested building an Altar garden the lights went on.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">This section of the blog will follow the progress of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai’s new garden of Divine Love.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1bf210;"></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, I did not photograph the construction progress, but built a simple box planter made from scrap wood we had in the garden.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8678a2-7773-5db4-a1aa-22c0d9775980"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="234" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sxj3z1odc4xODzFmz1w7ijtUpNVtbhOUEa3aBc7cXlT8qHo7bRRysnP0qiWVFuPaSsErVVjZlS5YF6pUyeSU2DYnqiQnS5YyEjEs3XMBD7TfIpMpa02F-r77YNDdfp5JYcrNfyoZ" style="border: none; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="415" /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8678a2-7773-b1b2-dbea-000ec1bf6e3b"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is Gaura Nitai and Giriraj looking happy in their new home.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Willow is a tree that is easy to propagate from cuttings. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Generally it will take root directly in soil as long as the soil remains damp enough. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Willow loves water! With care and plenty of regular pruning the willow will become established.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">This structure should grow into a living devotional Kunj. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">We planted marigold so as the summer progresses there will be a constant supply of fragrant flowers to offer at the Lotus Feet. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8678a2-7774-b353-19a9-57696c28b512"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="492" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/i03Ud8_htGvKHyf3RzFtqJFCOi3IkiJvdZQmEIow9CSpKidtUeVCN5KoiPl_kWvJZOK8sNqtWAxr29679Hg8zdDlJg0ElnQG1e5Tb-AdoufuXIA8GdvSFCshsohLKs3FHHICT7OZ" style="border: none; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="277" /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8678a2-7775-0f34-04ea-167199198976"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We planted some of the Tulasi seedlings to turn this Garden into a real Vrindavan dham.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="244" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HSvskIyv9d7XHzrGutXImNMnpXG3Yls-j6LKjEnQHMKSsm8D1jXxYlBIx0h9MhuXNKa_sRFq4EH290qp7jyWbIqLhmUh6KMPU5JaVPjZvPyLi4PdSumytNauA4MWw3UTNfDRBQFB" style="border: none; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="435" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-fc8678a2-7775-4ce2-e178-2b8f8afcbc7b"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">On the shelving behind the Altar is Sri Narasimha bursting forth from a crystal pillar.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLL51Gdx1-HIR2zQfTdveOgdwiwfAtRN7EtuiyYfvIPAEYsjMNGXo-VJkYyL8V-vJS2VzhfGb3MQUqbZHjvbtD0WrU0DPBMgqe6_e88HDXlrQPFHYQpcFW6uytJ6hCEq3CFZIfNggLoU/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1bf210; display: inline-block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLL51Gdx1-HIR2zQfTdveOgdwiwfAtRN7EtuiyYfvIPAEYsjMNGXo-VJkYyL8V-vJS2VzhfGb3MQUqbZHjvbtD0WrU0DPBMgqe6_e88HDXlrQPFHYQpcFW6uytJ6hCEq3CFZIfNggLoU/s400/DSC_0618.JPG" style="border: 0px; height: inherit; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">There is a wide scope for growth, creativity, and beautifying with this Altar.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> I hope you will follow our journey as we grow a garden for Gaura!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="post-bottom" style="-webkit-box-align: center; align-items: center; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap;">
<div class="post-footer float-container" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; -webkit-box-ordinal-group: 2; clear: left; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54); flex-wrap: wrap; flex: 1 1 auto; margin: 0px; order: 1; width: inherit;">
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1" style="-webkit-box-flex: 0; flex: 0 1 auto;">
</div>
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2" style="-webkit-box-flex: 0; flex: 0 1 auto;">
</div>
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3" style="-webkit-box-flex: 0; flex: 0 1 auto;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-share-buttons post-share-buttons-bottom" style="float: right; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 16px; position: relative;">
<div class="byline post-share-buttons goog-inline-block" style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54); display: inline-block; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: top; width: 24px;">
<div aria-owns="sharing-popup-Blog1-byline-8582846722301657827" class="sharing" data-title="Altar Garden" style="float: right;">
<button aria-controls="sharing-popup-Blog1-byline-8582846722301657827" aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="true" aria-label="Share" class="sharing-button touch-icon-button" id="sharing-button-Blog1-byline-8582846722301657827" role="button" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px;"><div class="flat-icon-button ripple" style="background: 0px 0px; border-radius: 50%; border: 0px; box-sizing: content-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; line-height: 0; margin: -12px; outline: 0px; padding: 12px; position: relative;">
<svg class="svg-icon-24"><use xlink:href="/responsive/sprite_v1_6.css.svg#ic_share_black_24dp" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><svg height="100%" id="ic_share_black_24dp" viewbox="0 0 24 24" width="100%"><path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"></path><path d="M18 16.08c-.76 0-1.44.3-1.96.77L8.91 12.7c.05-.23.09-.46.09-.7s-.04-.47-.09-.7l7.05-4.11c.54.5 1.25.81 2.04.81 1.66 0 3-1.34 3-3s-1.34-3-3-3-3 1.34-3 3c0 .24.04.47.09.7L8.04 9.81C7.5 9.31 6.79 9 6 9c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3s1.34 3 3 3c.79 0 1.5-.31 2.04-.81l7.12 4.16c-.05.21-.08.43-.08.65 0 1.61 1.31 2.92 2.92 2.92 1.61 0 2.92-1.31 2.92-2.92s-1.31-2.92-2.92-2.92z"></path></svg></use></svg></div>
</button>
<br />
<div class="share-buttons-container">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<section class="comments embed" data-num-comments="0" id="comments" style="border: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 20px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="comments" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #1bf210; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px;"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #686868; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15px;"></span></section>agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-89854907188563710522018-03-30T01:26:00.000-07:002018-04-07T00:47:11.448-07:00A Vedic Journey To Meet Natures Hidden Teachers - Tulsi<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Tulasi - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ocimum tenuiflorum/sanctum</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWsmIwQQUGNauP-YEJYoCuUF2gBKG4eTTQkBqAA2i590xSlAR-0fHMyK2wtIIUVKtOSmV7LQQ9ux8EhVunzVnmYx2ZiQv7Ak0hkgZnOeK4ehuhQZgO61VyC6OPjyjIuai8ZiTjA3Q0Pu3/s1600/780287673a2a27a9130ff4c5452e6b09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWsmIwQQUGNauP-YEJYoCuUF2gBKG4eTTQkBqAA2i590xSlAR-0fHMyK2wtIIUVKtOSmV7LQQ9ux8EhVunzVnmYx2ZiQv7Ak0hkgZnOeK4ehuhQZgO61VyC6OPjyjIuai8ZiTjA3Q0Pu3/s320/780287673a2a27a9130ff4c5452e6b09.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia"; white-space: pre-wrap;">My favorite tree personality Srimati Tulasi devi!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
Of all the plant teachers and sacred trees in this series Vrinda Devi is the most important for those of us practising spiritual life. All of our nonsense and sinful activities can be removed by her association, or even by touching her… thankfully for us this is a gracefully simple act to achieve!!<br />
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
Many devotees around the world sing her glories and dance around her as part of their morning oblations. In India she is planted and worshiped outside peoples homes. Many devotees in colder climates go to great lengths and troubles to grow and care for her outside of her natural climate.<br />
There are several species and strains of Tulsi, two of the most prominent being Rama Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and Krishna Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum). Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, has many amazing health benefits and is widely used within Ayurveda, but for the purpose of this blog post it is her amazing personality that we shall focus on.<br />
<br />
Vrinda Devi (Tulasi) is the mother of devotion and the organizer of the eternal lillas taking place in Goloka Vrindavan. These are high topics indeed and ones that I’m not able to comment on but, needless to say, she is a very important person.<br />
We pray to Tulasi to grant us a place in Vrindavan and to increase our devotional feelings toward the divine couple Radha Krishna.<br />
Whenever we make delicious preparations of food and drink for Nimai or Lord Krishna we are sure to include a Tulasi leaf as part of the offering. We wear Tulasi beads around our necks to keep us always in touch with her and shelter from material woe. We chant the lords names on beads made from her wood with the knowledge that in doing so our bhakti is ever increasing!<br />
<br />
<br />
With some limited experience growing Tulasi plants over the years, I've realized that aside from the regular watering and daily care the well being and happiness of Vrindarani, is to a large extent depending on how much devotion and the chanting of Krishna’s name one is approaching her with. In other words; she is responding to bhakti.<br />
If I am not feeling so devotional or spiritually inclined, there is a relative drooping and dropping of her leaves. If my bhajana is empowered and flowing then she is responding with plush and vibrant growth.<br />
Unfortunately, growing her in the northern hemisphere means she tends to be short lived, but being the embodiment of a pure devotee she is giving freely the remnants of her wood and leaves to help us in our devotional practice.<br />
<br />
Here is an amusing story by Gurudeva illustrating the importance of being attached to Tulasi devi...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.03478; margin-bottom: 20pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eO13sypuhrY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eO13sypuhrY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; text-align: justify;"><colgroup><col width="563"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 34pt;"><td style="padding: 5pt 5pt 8pt 13pt; vertical-align: top;">Sri Tulasi-Arati<br />
By Chandrasekhara Kavi<br />
<br />
1<br />
namo namah tulasi maharani,<br />
vrnde maharani namo namah<br />
namo re namo re meiya namo narayani<br />
<br />
2<br />
jako darase, parase agha-nasa-i<br />
mahima beda-purane bakhani<br />
<br />
3<br />
jako patra, manjari komala<br />
sri-pati-carana-kamale lapatani<br />
dhanya tulasi meiya, purana tapa kiye,<br />
Sri-salagrama-maha-patarani<br />
<br />
4<br />
dhupa, dipa, naivedya, arati,<br />
phulana kiye varakha varakhani<br />
chapanna bhoga, chatrisa byanjana,<br />
bina tulasi prabhu eka nahi mani<br />
<br />
5<br />
siva-suka-narada, aura brahmadiko,<br />
dhurata phirata maha-muni jnani<br />
candrasekhara meiya, tera jasa gaowe<br />
bhakati-dane dijiye maharani<br />
<br />
(1) O Tulasi Maharani! O Vrnda! O mother of devotion! O Narayani, I offer my obeisances to you again and again.<br />
(2) By seeing you or even by touching you, all sins are destroyed. Your glories are described in the Vedas and Puranas.<br />
(3) Your leaves and soft manjaris are entwined at the lotus feet of Narayana, the Lord of Laksmi. O blessed mother Tulasi, you performed successful austerities and have thus become the chief consort and queen of Sri Shalagrama-sila.<br />
(4) You engladden and shower your rain of mercy upon one who offers you some incense, a ghee lamp, naivedya, and arati. The Lord does not care for even one of fifty-six varieties of cooked food or thirty-six different curries offered without tulasi leaves.<br />
(5) Lord Siva, Sukadeva Gosvami, Devarsi Narada, and all the jnanis and great munis, headed by Lord Brahma, are circumambulating you. O mother! O Maharani, Candrasekhara thus sings your glories. Please bestow upon him the gift of pure devotion.<br />
<br />
This song is practically describing everything the aspiring devotee needs to know to glorify Vrindadevi, the reasons why we worship her, and the importance of developing attachment to her. Very beneficial for someone trying to cultivate spiritual life.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, Tulasi worship came very naturally to me. I was already in awe of the many wonderful trees and different personalities they exhibit. In seeing the love and high regard the devotees held this special plant it confirmed to me that I was home and these were the people I want to share my life with. As my relationship to Tulasi grows, changes, and develops, I hope those relationships to her devotees deepen, grow, and develop as well.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Tulasi maharani ki Jai!</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-12999201813405372462018-03-30T01:20:00.000-07:002018-04-08T11:56:16.456-07:00A Vedic Journey To Meet Natures Hidden Teachers - Birch<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ravīndra-svarūpa: The plants have more consciousness, manifest consciousness, than aquatics?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prabhupāda: Huh?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ravīndra-svarūpa: That plants and grass, they are more conscious than aquatics.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prabhupāda: Yes. That is also mentioned in the Bhāgavata, about different animals, how they are conscious, developed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Svarūpa Dāmodara: In the Bhāgavata, in the later chapters, Śrīla Prabhupāda? Not up to the present Fourth Canto that...</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prabhupāda: Fourth Canto there is, how one animal is more conscious than the other.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ravīndra-svarūpa: Yes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devotee: </span><span style="background-color: #fffbdf; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prabhupāda, did you say that trees have the ability to see and hear in the Bhāgavatam</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.55864; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 4pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prabhupāda: Yes.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt0PX7ukHKpPtVfPFX3UP-1s25FWuCucVFO07phbh91OnKgiq8r1YOAoPPoCewpB9AgMEKb0dyx0xX5EevUDZf_EolKlPEGvm6S82alGAi__ZOIk5VJfYm5I1ehsmtTiyW-pDHrAaRv8/s1600/birch-bright-countryside-5616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpt0PX7ukHKpPtVfPFX3UP-1s25FWuCucVFO07phbh91OnKgiq8r1YOAoPPoCewpB9AgMEKb0dyx0xX5EevUDZf_EolKlPEGvm6S82alGAi__ZOIk5VJfYm5I1ehsmtTiyW-pDHrAaRv8/s400/birch-bright-countryside-5616.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source; pexels.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-830220b3-8414-28c6-8057-738ee44642f9" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Birch / Björk</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Betula)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If the Oak is king of the forest then the Birch is certainly Queen, especially here in Sweden. With her beautiful silver bark and flowing branches, the Birch is obviously feminine in character. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She is amongst the first of trees to colonize new ground and she can withstand many extremes of temperature showing us the resilience and primary importance of the feminine aspect. As the ice-caps left northern Europe and Scandinavia at the end of the last ice-age Birch was quick to take root.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She moves us with her grace and beauty and helps us to glimpse the world of emotion that is ever present just under the surface of our perception of reality. Birches power time is in the early Spring when the first strings of life emerge after the cold dark winter. She carries us into summer where she matures into the fullest expression scattering thousands of tiny seeds on the winds. Birches sap rises early in Spring, surging in response to the returning sun. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This sap has been tapped as a restorative drink, although for followers of the Vedic tradition it is recommended in the 6th canto of Srimad Bhagavatam not to drink the sap of trees.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Birch bark burns even when wet, due to the high content of resins and oils, which many a grateful traveler or backpacker has found. But real caution should be used when gathering any natural material, Mother nature can provide but only where there is abundance and minimal damage is caused to the tree or environment. It is good manners to ask before you take. The tar available from the bark has been used as glue, to waterproof canoes and buckets. When mixed with ground charcoal it forms a very hard, glossy join.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Birch spreads joy and lightheartedness. She reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously, to stay graceful, playful and pliable. She emphasizes the importance of encouraging youthfulness, innocence and a gentle attitude towards others. Birch is an emblem of gentleness as anyone who has watched her dropping branches on a spring day can testify.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She is youthful love in tree form. Crowns and garlands woven of her branches were worn during the seasonal celebrations and Spring rites of old Europe. She shows the strength that is inherent in softness and adaptability. She encourages us to be gentle in our dealings with others. She teaches us how to accept change and the growth, showing that in adapting to any situation we can live in varied and challenging circumstances. She teaches us to not fear new situations but to enter into them with the knowledge that we are supported at the very source of our being.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the ice-caps retreated from northern Europe the Birch was one of the first trees to colonize the bare earth and the northern hemisphere remains her stronghold, emphasizing her connection to new beginnings, the end of Winter and the stirring of life in Spring. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The clean whiteness of her trunk instructs us how to live correctly, reminding us to be spotless in our actions. This is no easy task but living a life based on higher principles is something we should practice on a regular basis. The white bole of Birch is reminiscent of purity; the universal principles of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mercy</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Truthfulness</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Austerity</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cleanliness.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> These four principles can be related to four life guidelines that spiritual aspirants from many traditions follow to a greater or lesser degree, these are; abstaining from eating meat (promotes Mercy), avoiding from gambling and cheating (cultivates Truthfulness), not using intoxicants (helps us become Austere), and regulating sex life (Promotes Cleanliness).</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are used to seeing rules and regulations as negative and restrictive but in practicing these four principles we can quickly experience the benefit they bring, not only to ourselves but also in our relationships to others. Meditating with the feminine energy of the Birch tree helps us birth a new understanding of why we need such guidelines in our lives. Being a tree of new beginnings and cyclic renewal the otherworldly beauty of her branches and trunk are a good place to cultivate and nurture our dreams and aspirations, to search out what is our unique gift in relation to reality. If we feel drawn to Birch trees it is most likely she is standing guardian over a transition or new start in our lives and calling us to listen to our inner voice. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The birch is home to a wide range of bracket and polypore fungus that can often be seen protruding from her slender trunk many of which have many medicinal and practical uses; including and not limited to, Chaga and its anti-cancer and superfood properties and birch polypore with many varied uses from and not limited to, fire starting tinder and antiseptic bandage!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The canopy and leaves of the birch tree are a favorite home of several butterfly species emphasizing the birches role in bringing about transformation and new beginnings.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The joyful, youthful energy of the birch tree helps us dissipate feelings of depression and sorrow and is a useful tree for those recovering from addictions or abusive situations which is how my own personal journey with Birch and the knowledge given by our brother and sister trees began. I hope you find and enter into your own reawakening of our personal relationship to Mother nature and the trees there-in, Haribol!</span></div>
<br />
<img height="189" src="https://speakzeasy.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/radha-krishna.jpg" width="400" />agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-68948764350296769122018-03-30T01:17:00.002-07:002018-04-03T21:48:18.198-07:00A Vedic Journey To Meet Natures Hidden Teachers - Oak<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
The Personalities Of Trees</h3>
<div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; color: #ababab; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 13.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2097940184732398780" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 498px;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">one should be more tolerant than a tree</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly”.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Sri Siksastakam; Text 3).</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="250" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/i-SBVPm5k3VdSZYDK1dtkpBelGpj3fn2cotet_u2-8C4NqwLm0RkhhOqCitxASk86d24_SnGcEK3tcWwl3sIk2GOYubj8xoNqz85pskBAVMxwNKd9WS3dmmQPH_yeIAgCQi_Gcm6" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oak / Ek</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quercus</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> According to wikipedia there are over 600 species of Oak worldwide. Here we are focusing particularly on the white oak</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Quercus Alba)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of northern europe. This Oak is majestic and stands tall in the fields and forests. The oldest oaks in europe are estimated to be 2000 years old and can grow to massive girths, much like the tree pictured above. The Oak is old and wise.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The very epitome of selfless love, the Oak tree can host a whole microcosm of beings. In Britain more than 250+ species of insect have been found living on one Oak tree, not to mention the countless fungus and microbes that live life around the great root system. That’s an impressive collection of beings living their lives connected to the Oak Tree. Imagine trying to support 200 children on a daily basis! Even if the majority of insects gnaw, chew and bore into its trunk the king of trees still provides shelter for all these creatures without complaint. It is said the parent can find joy in the mischievous actions of the children. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCgHvWmLabJqZ_kZoNFF5nY8LswUsLLWOEb-PBsSC7ZXG8pyhWFL6TkDk3s5c6dKHh_mXk5ut_dGGanzikV5t9UOZeSbue06QSIdxYYMdhHKTZ1ec11KGJauAAdGSDzzBk6i1Kn3sGQk/s1600/P1010069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCgHvWmLabJqZ_kZoNFF5nY8LswUsLLWOEb-PBsSC7ZXG8pyhWFL6TkDk3s5c6dKHh_mXk5ut_dGGanzikV5t9UOZeSbue06QSIdxYYMdhHKTZ1ec11KGJauAAdGSDzzBk6i1Kn3sGQk/s640/P1010069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Often we hear in popular culture and society that nature functions via “the law of the jungle” or “survival of the fittest”, although this sometimes seems to be the case it is more apparent that symbiotic relationships and the law of mutual cooperation are actually how successful species survive in relation to the environment and each other. Go out into a natural landscape or forest and you will be standing in a finely tuned ecosystem that thrives on a correlation between the biggest trees down to the smallest microbes living in the pungent soil.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Oak generally has a masculine character and in many ancient cultures represented God, Divinity, the Sun, and Sacred Places. The Mistletoe (mistle) found growing on Oak was considered most Holy and Sacred. We will look at the Mistletoe in a later segment as this plant has been considered holy for thousands of years. The Oak tree was considered the protector of the light half of the year (midwinter to midsummer). He represents safety and protection, a provider and sustainer. Acorns, the nut of the oak tree, provided food for our ancestors and their livestock. The acorn is somewhat bitter and needs to be treated in some way to be palatable to people; boiled, ground or roasted to remove the tannins the source of the bitter taste. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The wood is strong and coarsely grained. It is even said that a post of oak would outlive a post of iron. If carved and oiled it takes a beautiful, rich deep brown colour. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So who is the Oak tree and what does he want to teach us? The lessons of the Oak is selfless giving, teaching the strength to be found in gentleness. How to return love and care to the environment and the creatures therein. The Oak tree teaches us to be a shelter giver to those who come to us. Oak is a being grounded in stability even if facing adversity. The winds of change present in our lives may push us and make us stumble or fall, like Oak we should send our own roots deep; into the indigenous and ancestral wisdoms of the world nourishing us with the nutrients of stability and firmness. By taking root in these ancient wisdoms we enter into a more mystical and personal relationship with Mother Earth and God. These ancient teachings are not dead, left in the past, but are a living tradition that we can tap into just as a tree taps into the sustenance it needs from the living soil. These traditions are the gateway into a saner future and the Oak stands guardian over these teachings protecting them and holding them for us and future generations to access, just as he stands and guards over the turning year.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Oak, like most of nature, works in cycles and teaches us how to listen and enter into those same rhythms and cycles. Teaches how to align our own lives to these natural rhythms, bringing us into greater harmony with all that is. Oaks powertime is from midwinter to midsummer. During this time you can watch the Oak come into leaf (quite late in comparison to other trees) and gradually become heavy with acorns as the sun reaches it’s yearly zenith. At this time the Oak carries an atmosphere of aliveness and heaviness, this is the energy of teacher. The atmosphere beneath its branches is earthy yet transcendent, definite and surcharged with the buzzing of hundreds of insects and the melodies of birdsong. To the ancient Vedic culture of Europe and the Druidic religion that developed long before the advent of Christianity the Oak was the most holy of trees and was venerated as sacred </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Oak tree is Guru, Teacher and the Sovereign Father. The Oak is the fearless warrior and Righteous King, providing protection and shelter to those under his influence within the forest kingdom. If we are lacking strength and stability in life then we should spend time with the oak tree. Beneath its branches we become grounded in it’s strong energy. Here we can learn the art of giving, of surrendering to the needs of others who come to us for help. Here we can learn of the strength that comes from having stable roots, regulated life and dedicated meditation practice.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Much folk medicine is made from Oak bark due to it’s high level of tannins and astringent properties. This makes it useful for stemming the flow of blood in wounds, treating hemorrhoids, or a mouthwash for bleeding gums. Made into a tea it works well for diarrhea! It can also be made into a topical solution for bathing sore feet and treating burns or blisters.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A note of warning here though, much care, respect and forethought should be used before collecting any plants for use from nature. One should always check that a plant to be harvested is abundant before taking what one needs. Some prayer or love gift should be offered before harvesting a plant. It is good manners to address the plant and ask it for what you need, then listen to the subtle feelings within yourself for the reply. Imagine if someone came and cut your hair without asking! If harvesting bark from a tree </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">never</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> take bark from around the entire trunk, called “ringing” this actually stems or stops the flow of sap and can harm or even kill the tree. Taking a small amount from many different trees is a much more sustainable and kinder way to collect what we might need.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> We have a duty as human beings on this planet to nurture, care for and protect our mother nature. If we carry this attitude with us when interacting with the plants, trees and animals in nature then a relationship of trust and love automatically develops. Nature can provide in abundance, provided we give care and protection in return and do not take more than we need. Planting trees is one of the most fantastic activities we can do to give back to nature. Trees are the lungs of the planet, sucking in carbon dioxide and giving out pure oxygen in return. Not only the lungs trees are also similar to hairs on the body of Mother Earth, meaning they provide for her the feeling of sensation and touch. Our actions of cutting down natural forests directly affect the wellbeing of Mother Earth and therefore all creatures that call Her home, including us!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> For all our technological advances we are not separate from nature. We are completely dependant. In these times of ecological distress and global pillaging we are becoming more and more entangled in her complexities and need to return to a relationship of partnership and guardianship. The Oak tree can help us develop the wisdom and grounding we need to do just that!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="266" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/oz_yrSfijeKoaFzPLb0brvSbL_HXRZJuJUt-KEubRg0p7ki1YkA0J_LKtEM2QCtNp_p4yabIVrXf_t-RFrWufm7X4EzO_OPNDP9i_rlkO9O9Sri8pQCMMEf0_cierT-W1MFn4ZgG" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></span></div>
</div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6498230649282709463.post-62752506257192140062018-03-30T01:09:00.003-07:002018-04-08T11:53:33.014-07:00A Vedic Journey To Meet Natures Hidden Teachers - Introduction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Personalities Of Trees. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5DwpRQd7H52erM3sKv4mvEos8yWjRaUR-wVPi_WLZt9PkDZtqqTF7r-WByWJKzkTHnaWOcAY6iUdaqp5e7_LMNyscgTcrEf-jKcmkzc_S1g67GrsBGrXcU4x7Bzm-11O434uSyENZhGV/s1600/tree-338211_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5DwpRQd7H52erM3sKv4mvEos8yWjRaUR-wVPi_WLZt9PkDZtqqTF7r-WByWJKzkTHnaWOcAY6iUdaqp5e7_LMNyscgTcrEf-jKcmkzc_S1g67GrsBGrXcU4x7Bzm-11O434uSyENZhGV/s400/tree-338211_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: pexels.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-bfbb861d-2770-211a-c9ff-95028a7272cb" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> We all know the story. In this modern age, we are faced with increasing problems caused by our rapid consumption of the planet's resources and our disconnected and impersonal relationship to this place we call home. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You don’t need to go far to see the immediate effects of this; discarded plastics, city smogs, noise and light pollution and this is just our immediate environment. What to mention of the bigger problems that maybe don’t affect us directly; deforestation, fracking, war and poverty on an ever-increasing scale. But these things do affect us, sooner or later the emerging crisis on this Earth will touch each and every one of us. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> More and more people are turning towards the different spiritual and ancestral cultures, the mystic traditions of the world, to rediscover ways of living which are more holistic and friendly in approach to Mother Nature than the current paradigm currently allows.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> More and more people are trying to find where we lost the thread of our sanity in relation to each other and the Earth. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> One of the models for sustainable and holistic living that has been held up in recent years is the image of the tree. Completely in tune with its environment, the humble tree never moves very far from the spot it takes root. It never takes more than it needs and it gives back to the very environment in which it lives. Rather than degrading its surroundings it improves and even beautifies it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> One of the things I learned in my spiritual journey</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the importance of trees in the lives of the people and our brother and sister animals. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Even more evident was the fact that our ancestors, and today's indigenous peoples of the world, had and have a much more personal relationship to the land and the teachings to be found there.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> For them it was not only home and place of resources but also a Sacred environment to be learned from, to be nurtured and respected. A place where myth and landscape, culture and reality are inescapably bound together. Trees are a doorway to connect to the divine.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPm056-gs4W82kWhMUD3MK7-U-j8eDAwhRI9SyunC-ek2ttwg12Ae0r_wanS3efSforX5tSTgdWFZGe1iaetx1thlihcvHx-JoUHvuJAz3RyqyuywVXjCdoWXn7RGYa3BtRMrG_3ovgU/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPm056-gs4W82kWhMUD3MK7-U-j8eDAwhRI9SyunC-ek2ttwg12Ae0r_wanS3efSforX5tSTgdWFZGe1iaetx1thlihcvHx-JoUHvuJAz3RyqyuywVXjCdoWXn7RGYa3BtRMrG_3ovgU/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In the coming blog posts, I’d like to delve deeper into the mysteries of nature and explore the personalities of the trees on our doorstep here in northern Europe, to see what they are trying to teach us. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> We will explore some of their qualities and characteristics, spiritual and immediate, see what and how we can learn from them.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Indeed there is something of an inner teacher or hidden guru to be found in these beautiful beings that we take for granted on a day to day basis.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A tree is a humble being. Even though insects gnaw at its roots and leaves, people cut with axes and saws and extremities of weather beat down relentlessly, it is always ready to give shelter to other living entities. The tree is always ready to offer its fruits to the hungry. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG5c25uqwve2ogmUR2oAKtNIKVFx9yo_sWDDxK4zvOv9GC_T5TjGaeCa4jVl8qYEzrk5Bfg17JWwp-Rhm1AyiLXJQnXImWcR8Vwa64A7_cYkuEvqi_XGdRRr9wpJeH-SDbbU4BWUQAFk/s1600/P1010093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfG5c25uqwve2ogmUR2oAKtNIKVFx9yo_sWDDxK4zvOv9GC_T5TjGaeCa4jVl8qYEzrk5Bfg17JWwp-Rhm1AyiLXJQnXImWcR8Vwa64A7_cYkuEvqi_XGdRRr9wpJeH-SDbbU4BWUQAFk/s320/P1010093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is a very giving position of servitude and one from which we have a lot to learn if we are to create a sustainable and pleasant future for this planet and the generations to come.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So let’s walk together in the forest of consciousness and meet the guardian trees that live there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> We won’t leave a leaf unturned as we explore our arboreal friends from root to branches!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0UR_wakMF4zCspDG4j893SVRKq1uOGGWumdTrBxyZtESek22cA8MLaEAj-VBzVnFNb_elvD8ulJdGPipCJsihWesFoilEA8iOhA3YG3HELv6iig6bsIg4TJV_kR8OavK7ZKIqVjZtHU/s1600/BY+KRISTA+C..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="560" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0UR_wakMF4zCspDG4j893SVRKq1uOGGWumdTrBxyZtESek22cA8MLaEAj-VBzVnFNb_elvD8ulJdGPipCJsihWesFoilEA8iOhA3YG3HELv6iig6bsIg4TJV_kR8OavK7ZKIqVjZtHU/s320/BY+KRISTA+C..png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
agrowingspirituallyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13650048596742492735noreply@blogger.com0