Mushroom Metaphor

Mushroom Metaphor

Time to process what has just happened in the United States … and really, what has happened that will affect the world.

So, I took a little walk around the yard, enjoying Mother Nature breathing in life, ruach, praying, healing.

The mushrooms that keep popping up in the yard may have a short life, but each day, through them, Mother Nature provides such wonderful colour, texture, shape, peace.

And a gentle feeling of hope begins to slowly surface.

The mushrooms make their way through the earth year after year after year, in spite of winter weather, summer heat, fall and spring rain.

So too will humanity.

Thank you, Mother Nature, for your everpresent reminder that “All shall be well. All shall be well. All manner of thing shall be well.” (Dame Julian who reminds us that even though things may not be well, in time, they “shall be.”)

Reach for the sun, mushrooms.
Reach for the sky.
Keep on growing and surviving in spite of the elements of Nature.

You are a remarkable metaphor for humankind.

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
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“The Challenge”

“The Challenge”

“Where is the injustice in the outcome?”

It rests in
the lies he told;
the crimes he committed;
the supporters who blindly followed and follow;
the team around him who have planned and will carry out Project 2025.


I cannot – must not …


We cannot – must not … allow it to consume our light.


Gentle cyberhug is on its way to all who are confused, who are angry, who grieve.

May the light … even if only just a flicker … never go out.

And if it goes out,
may another stand with us as a reminder that “we are not alone.”
Together, the light remains lit.

May we be gentle with ourselves – and one another.

*****************************************

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
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Quote: unknown source

HOLDING THE NIGHTLIGHT THIS NIGHT

HOLDING THE NIGHTLIGHT THIS NIGHT

This night, on the eve of the election in the United States,
tensions are high. anxiety is higher
fear is higher.

Mail-in ballots are being readied to be counted.
People are making plans to get to the polls in the morning.
Foreign countries may have infiltrated the voting process.
Lawyers and judges are preparing to argue challenges against counting mail-in ballots
And,
as it all unfolds
I pray.
Many pray – many within the United States and many beyond.

As I was praying, I I noticed a shadow on my bedroom wall created by the little statue.
Words and a familiar melody echoed in my head and
I found myself praying … a song.

While the words are part of a Christian hymn
they can have meaning for non-Christians when adapted.
I hope they will.

Perhaps you will join me in singing/humming (if you know the melody)
and if not, join me in saying/thinking these words (original words in paratheses)
because …
“We are pilgrims on a journey;
We are family on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the miles and bear the load.

I will hold the night-light (Christ-light) for you
In the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joys and sorrows
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to Nature’s glory (to God in Heaven)
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together
Of the world’s (Christ’s) love and agony.

Neighbour, family (brother, sister) let me serve you;
Let me be a friend (as Christ) to you;
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.

<Richard Gillard, adapted by June Maffin>


This night
may we hold the night-light for all in the United States
and for ourselves
because whether we acknowledge it or not,
what happens in this election will affect the rest of the world.

And if necessary, as the votes are counted
and the anticipated legal process unravels in the coming nights
may we continue to pray – to sing – to remind ourselves that
regardless of the outcome of the election
we are all going to have to live together on this Planet Earth>

We all want to have the answer to the question “What is going to happen?”
But perhaps the question is not “What”
but “How.”
And the answer to that must be
“Together.”

Whatever happens,
we must get through it together,
because
“We are pilgrims on a journey;
We are family on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the miles and bear the load.


This night,
let us hold the night-light for one another.

*********************

© June Maffin
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STRAWBERRY SURPRISE

STRAWBERRY SURPRISE

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen them.
November 2nd and there they were
… four strawberries in the strawberry planter on my deck, this morning!

We’ve already had our first snowfall
yet, they survived the snow and the cold and the rain
and there’s another berry
“on its way” to full strawberryhood. <g>

So if you’ve had a difficult day
… if the rains are causing your arthritis to flare
… if traffic was frustrating
… if the news brings despair
… if the future looks bleak
let these strawberries
… give you a sweet surprise
… put a smile on your face
even if
only for a second or two. 😉

***********************
© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
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WINTER WEATHER – POLITICAL WINTER

WINTER WEATHER – POLITICAL WINTER

This time of the year in many parts of the world,
it is or soon will be Winter Weather
At the same time, Political Winter weather is happening.

The nights are dark and bring fear
and political haranguing permeates social media.
Hope is disguised, hidden, not-evident by many
as people wait for the next political explosion.

We must remember to breathe
… breathe for ourselves
… breathe for those who cannot breathe.

We must hold fast and remember
the quietness of peace for ourselves
remember that while the nights may be dark
in  one place in the world,
in another place in the world
the nights are light.

We must hold to the hope
that when the night seems dark
– hopeless – in one place
… hope is – somewhere
… prayer is being offered – somewhere
… communion is being received – somewhere

May we hold the light
… for those who cannot breathe
May we say a prayer
… for those who cannot sleep
May we hold hope
… for those who cannot hope

May we remember that there are signs of light.
This night, in a speech by a woman who faces unbelievable odds
yet who fearlessly confronts them.
she spoke a powerful speech.

Seven days before an election
that could determine political light – democracy –
for the people of the United States
the woman spoke truth – and hope.
She named evil
… warned against it

In these politically-trying times
this woman stood tall
spoke with determination and courage
and brought hope
and light.

In spite of living in the reality
of the howling of the wind and the rain in the trees
of the howling of the lies and fear on the airwaves, papers, social media
let us refocus.

Refocus on the good
… not the evil
Refocus on the possibilities
…. not the fear
Refocus on the reality that “this too, shall pass.”

It shall.
Hope IS possible.
Light IS possible.
We ARE possible in this Winter Weather
this Political Winter.

AdventBlue

© june maffin

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“WHAT HAS CHANGED”

“WHAT HAS CHANGED”


Emails and social media posts from American friends who shared feelings of helplessness, isolation, and fear,
lacking strength to face the next “drop of the shoe” haven’t stopped since this time four years ago.. So what has changed? What has changed is – it’s gotten worse. Much worse.

Dear American neighbours, my friends, what is happening in your country is beyond imagining
… the hatred … the fear … when will it end? how will it end? will it end?

You may feel alone.
You may feel helpless.
You may feel frightened as you have never felt before.
You may not think you have the strength or courage to face “the next.”

Please be assured that there are people around the world who are holding you all in the Light
… praying for you
… are “with you” in spirit
… are hoping and praying and encouraging you to vote in your this election if have not already done so
– and vote in numbers your country has never seen before.

May you vote with ‘hope’.
May you vote ‘love’, not hate.
May you vote
so that this time next year, the answer to the question “What has changed?”
will be “A LOT!

… the economy will be better – much better.
… news media will revert to its original purpose – inform people with truth no supposition, rumour, pontification, conspiracy spreading
… social media will bring people together
…the fear and hatred will begin to dissipate as leaders at all levels of government of the United States will be devoted to country, not party.

May all Americans get out and vote
Vote for hope!

That’s what millions around the world are doing for you
… hoping and praying that you will vote
… vote for democracy
… vote for leaders who will put the country first, not themselves.

But
…. to bring the change
you have to do your part
and vote!

© June Maffin
www.soulistry.com
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“RAINDROPS OF TEARS”

“RAINDROPS OF TEARS”

I was in awe when this exquisite flower first opened its petals.

Awe filled my heart even more as raindrops fell
leaving their mark on the exquisite petals
…  tenderly embracing
……… gently blessing
…………. its fragile petals.

When raindrops of sorrow touch our bodies, minds, souls,
may we allow the tears to well up and flow
and healing can begin
… tenderly embracing
…….. gently blessing
…………. our fragile souls.

************

Text & Photo © june maffin

************
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“REMEMBER”

“REMEMBER”

On this 23rd anniversary of 9-11, the world remembers.
We remember the fear, the terror, the bravery, the sacrifice, the horror of it all.

The world specifically remembers
… the First Responders who died.

The world remembers
… those who struggle with ill health since being near Ground Zero.

The world remembers
… those killed in the twin towers & planes.

The world remembers
… those who continue to grieve
… those who deal with PTSD and health issues because of that day.

The United States went through a devastating time September 11th.
The United States is going through a turbulent time now.
Canadians stood with our American neighbours then.
Canadians stand with our American neighbours now.

May each of us … remember the day… remember the lessons
… remember.


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© June Maffin
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“Do You Remember aka A Touch of the Holy”

“Do You Remember aka A Touch of the Holy”

Do you remember 
– when you surprised yourself by singing … creating …  laughing out loud … dancing a few steps in an unexpected time/location?

 – when the contrast of sky and trees … night and day … sunrise and sunset – brought a sense of wonder that
 filled your soul?

 –  when a deep part of you that you’d long forgotten was awakened by the colour of a flower … the sound of      an instrument … the taste of a meal … the touch of love … a moment of silence in the midst of a chaotic day?

– when the laughter of a child … the smell of a newborn … the antics of a pet … the unexpected embrace of a
loved one … the personal words that accompanied a “Happy Birthday” greeting  … the fragility of life … the flutter of a hummingbird’s wings … reminded you that there was “something more” to this world?

– when you followed that “still, small voice within” making a decision?

–  when the concept of sacredness brought a sense of peace to your soul … and you couldn’t explain it to
anyone, or even yourself?

 –  when, in spite of personal difficulties, fears, doubts, you … chose to put one step in front of the other … chose to take the day, one moment at a time … chose to whisper ‘hope is possible’.

These are moments when we touch the holy – the sacred – that which moves us to a sense of awe, that “je ne sais quoi” because it is indefinable, inexplicable, and deeply moves us to a place/space of reverence that can but does not need to be connected to the common understanding of the divine.

Those are moments when the Holy as we understand it, touches us.

In these difficult days of political rhetoric … divided families … countries at/on the brink of war … flagrant lies from people in leadership positions … financial instability … diminishing health … global climate concerns … and more, may we be observant to the holy, remember the moments when we have touched the holy, and be receptive to the moments when the Holy touched us for, whether we use that word, we have encountered Something Beyond Ourselves and it changes us – whether we know it, whether we acknowledge it, whether we believe it or not.

*******************
© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
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© June Maffin “Soulistry: Artistry of the Soul”
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www.medium.com/@junemaffin
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“TRIGGER MOMENTS”

“TRIGGER MOMENTS”

Trigger Moments – they come; they go; they can ambush without consent.

Trigger Moments bring us back to a time and place with a loved one who has died or who is dying … who has dementia and whose mind is dying … who is missing and not yet found … a much-loved canine/feline friend who has died or for whom we have made the difficult decision for a veterinarian-assisted death.

Trigger Moments enter conversations and thoughts in other ways … catalyst for recovering addicts/alcoholics to slip …  PTSD flashbacks …  COVID19 when thoughts of “what was, is no longer” surround and affect on all levels: body, mind and spirit. 

Trigger Moments can be sweet. 
Trigger Moments can cause deep pain.
Trigger Moments can intensify the desire to have “just one more” conversation … one more laugh … one more time to travel … one more opportunity to be together in holy silence in the Studio or garden, creating … one more embrace … just one more “we” moment. 

When those Trigger Moments show up, when the tears flow and we are helpless to stop them, it is natural to want to “get over it.”   I know that I do. 

Instead, I let the tears flow … do some gentle, deep breathing … and acknowledge that the tears and sadness are part of the grief experience and I am not “losing it”.

Trigger Moments.  In those moments, I know I need to care for – and take care of – my husband’s wife … me. 

And I do – finding comfort in sitting on our deck beside the chair my husband used … sipping cold lemonade, enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty of our back yard … feeling his presence in a gentle way … and knowing that eventually, the Trigger Moment which left me reeling with the pain of loss, will pass.

I know that Trigger Moments are a natural part of healing from loss. 
I don’t like them. 
I know that there will be other Trigger Moments.

All I can do when they come is … let the tears flow and deep breathing happen … remember that such moments are part of the grief experience … recognize and accept the reality that in time, healing will come … take comfort in the words of the prophet Isaiah “joy shall come, even in the wilderness”.

Grief is part of life. 

Trigger Moments come. 
Trigger Moments go. 
May they not be resented.   May they not be despised. 
May they be welcomed
as part of the grieving process
as part of the healing process
as part of the circle of life.



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Photo and Text © June Maffin

 

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“THREE QUESTIONS”

“THREE QUESTIONS”

Three questions …
Let’s have some fun together.  

Question number 1:
“What is knowledge?”

Question number 2:
“What is wisdom?”

Question number 3:
“What is philosophy?”

Did you come up with some great answers?
Here are my responses
and no, they’re not “deep” answers,
but they are “fun” answers.  
Or, they are to me.  😉

Here goes …

KNOWLEDGE
IS
knowing a tomato is a fruit.

 


WISDOM
IS
not putting the tomato in a fruit salad.

 

PHILOSOPHY
IS
wondering if having a tomato in a fruit salad means
that ketchup is a smoothie.

 

Ahhh, a sense of humour can be a wonderful survival tool.   
And goodness knows but we can all use a bit of gentle humour these days.  🙂

**********************************

© june maffin 
https://www.soulistry.com/blog

The tomato plant in this photo was last year’s attempt to grow tomatoes.
This year, I didn’t even do this well!   
I got four mini tomatoes
and no, they weren’t supposed to be mini tomatoes.
My guess is that I didn’t water the plant enough.
I’ll try again next year.  
And remember to water the plant each morning.  🙂


 

STILLNESS – PEACE

STILLNESS – PEACE

Gratitude today
for the gentle reflected image of boats
bringing

Stillness of water
… peace

Stillness of mind
… peace

Stillness of body
… peace

Stillness of soul
… peace

May it be so
as the reality of what happened
at a presidential rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024
is processed

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog


in the midst of tears

in the midst of tears

  · 
in the midst of tears
light raindrops on flower petals
reveal beauty
something about which
one can be grateful
if so
in the midst of personal tears
what are you grateful for today
if so
in the midst of political tears
what can we be grateful for today
if so
in the wider scheme of life
what can humanity be grateful for today
name them
name them out loud
name them by writing
name them so they will never be forgotten
even in the midst of tears


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
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THROUGH THE PEEP-HOLE

THROUGH THE PEEP-HOLE

Have a look through the peekhole … what is on the other side, if the head of the ultra-conservative very radical-sounding Heritage Foundation and architect of Project 2025, Kevin Roberts, has his way, is devastating. He stated: “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”

WHAAAT?

American lawyer Joyce Alene Vance who served as the United States attorney for the Northern District of Alabama (2009 – 2017) has written an intro to Project 2025’s ideology starting on page 34) and says “He’s (Kevin Roberts) talking about using violence if the majority of American voters don’t agree with his vision for our country. He’s endorsing another January 6, a bloodletting if liberals won’t cave into his view of how the country should be run. If the left won’t “allow” him to have his way, he’s going to make us give in. That’s the man behind Project 2025.”

Please, look through the peekhole – learn about Project 2025 … share what you learn about the Project (which, btw, has already begun) on social media … recognize that this isn’t “pie in the sky” it is as real as were the warnings in Germany in the 1930’s. https://www.project2025.org/about/about-project-2025/ https://www.project2025.org/

There is only one way to stop Project 2025 and that is to exercise the right to vote – ignore the hype about the candidates – ignore the rhetoric about what Trump promises – just don’t ignore what undergirds Trump or what undergirds the Kevin Roberts’ of this world.

Today Americans mark their independence from a monarchy. Kevin Roberts is trying to re-create the monarchy.

Remember Roberts’ words: “We are in the process of the second American Revolution”. Not “going to be”. It’s begun. But it can be stopped by one simple act … voting blue – voting the Biden/Harris ticket – choosing democracy not fascism.

Btw, here’s a list of some of the actual things on the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 list:


It’s real. Its implementation has already begun. Read – digest – and recognize where/how you/your loved ones will be affected. No one will *not* be affected.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision took the United States back to July 3, 1776, the day BEFORE the Declaration of Independence. That SCOTUS decision gave Americans the thing that caused them to break away from England – away from a a president-king who’s above the law.

Peek through peep-hole and learn about the depth of the plan of Project 2025. It is not good. It is anything but good. If it succeeds, it will mean the end of democracy. Don’t let that happen – exercise your right to vote and vote for democracy: blue.

Chair By The River

Chair By The River

took a drive down a road not travelled
and discovered
a chair by the river
that called and spoke


come – sit – rest
gaze – ponder – exhale worry
question – dream – write
sketch – inhale peace – feel
believe – be –

that chair – a blessing
those surrounding trees – a blessing
the river before me – a blessing
peace within – a blessing


blessings around, above, beside, beneath, within
blessed moment-in-time
thanks to a chair by the river

˙© june maffin

As always, you are welcome to share this Soulistry reflection. Comments are always welcome and appreciated.

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Creative Spirituality Artist

Creative Spirituality Artist

The first time I heard someone look at something I had created and say “June, you are an artist,” I was taken aback.
An artist? No, not me.
I can’t draw or paint or do calligraphy or sculpt or quilt or …
I just play.
And then it dawned on me … just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is artistry / creativity.

But for many years, I denied that anything I had made was creative or artistic. Each time someone made a positive comment on a handmade card they’d received from me or a painting I’d done or a book I’d made, I mumbled something along the lines of “oh, I’m not an artist. I just like to play” and never uttered a “thank you” to the person for their kind comment.

And then one day, I heard my husband deny his artistic talent to someone who had just admired his work at an art show. I was shocked. Hans was an artist! His sketches, paintings, and calligraphy had sold; he and his artwork had been featured in national magazines and art shows; his work was proudly displayed by many in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia. That evening, I asked him why he was so negative about his work and didn’t thank the person for their comment. His reply echoed my thoughts about my own work … “I’m not very good, compared to …”

Ahhh, there was the key – comparison.

Calligrapher Peter Thornton often says “When you look at your neighbour’s work, you see it for what it is. When you look at your own work, you see it for what it isn’t.”  Why do we do that? Why do we see the value of our effort and work in comparison with the work of others and not for their own intrinsic worth?

There will always be people who do what we do, only better. There will always be people who are ahead of us on the learning curve – who we admire and want to emulate. But that doesn’t mean our efforts, our work, is of any less value.

That evening, as Hans and I talked about the way we both denied that we were creative/artistic, we agreed to not compare our work with others and try to see ourselves as artists. I’d been a school teacher (variety of subjects) for decades and loved seeing the light come on when a student “got it” – whatever the subject. After that evening, I found myself consciously encouraging Soulistry workshop students to see themselves as artists, not to compare their work with someone else. I hoped that seeing themselves in such a way would make a difference.

When a student wrote and reminded me of the import role of encouragement (of one another – of ourselves), I realized that I’d taken the conversation my husband and I had had, very seriously. The student wrote: “I want to thank you. I drove on a stormy day in October to attend your ‘Picasso Portraits’ class. During that class you quietly said to me, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not an artist.” I so needed that comment at that time. I was questioning why I was “wasting” my time making art and asking myself what the heck I was going to do with all that so-called art that I was generating. I held your comment in my mind. Repeated it to myself often, when needed. And yesterday I sold my first painting!!! I entered a piece on a whim, and it sold on the first day. I am encouraged to continue making art. Because it makes me happy.”

She is an artist! Not because she sold one of her pieces, but because making art makes her “happy.”

I believe that expressing our creativity, our artistry, deepens our spirituality. That deep belief was the inspiration for the birth of *Soulistry* – the workshops, then the book, then the blog, the website, and the Facebook page. And, and it’s why the Soulistry book has a sub-title: “Artistry of the Soul,” for I believe that every person can be an artist.

Whether we are a flower arranger, sculptor, writer, painter, paper artist, surgeon, chef, book-maker, musician, fabric designer, singer, sew-er, cartoonist, dancer, poet, graphic designer, woodworker, gardener, knitter, card-maker, tangler, inventor, jewellery-maker, calligrapher, hair stylist, miniaturist, blogger, weaver, quilter, car builder, beadmaker, etc. … whether we sell our work, win awards, are ‘the best’ in our field, isn’t the issue. When we create, we make a spiritual connection – we are nourishing our spirit – having fun – challenging the synapses in our brain -learning something new – exploring our playful nature – experiencing a sense of happiness and indefinable joy.

Many years ago, at the end of a Soulistry retreat where retreatants created several projects, each was presented with a certificate with their name and the letters C.S.A. – Creative Spirituality Artist – and encouraged to add those letters after their name. 🙂

I like that – not because I made it up <g> – but because it speaks to an understanding of who I am when I create … an understanding of who I believe we all are, when we create.

We are creative artists connecting to spirit aka “Creative Spirituality Artists”. May we all be Creative Spirituality Artists with openness, with abandon, with play and with joy!

© June Maffin C.S. A.

(The photograph is of an “acrylic pour” I did on a long-playing record was a gift for a friend who now recognizes that she too is a C.S.A.)

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IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Yom Hashoah begins this night at sundown.  It is a time for Jews and all of the world to pay respect to those who perished in the Holocaust under Nazi rule – millions of people: gypsies, gays, clergy, ordinary citizens, Jewish people, many of whom had no idea they had Jewish heritage.

Yom Hashoah is a time we remember other moments of terror suffering, past and present too because as Rabbi Michael Lerner reminded us, the task at this moment in history is to “remind ourselves that we are inextricably bound to each other and to everyone on the planet. 

Will we will ever truly remember, learn from the past and ask the “when” questions?   Questions like
… if changes in gun laws don’t happen now … when?
… if hatred for ‘the other’ doesn’t end now … when?
… if immoral laws aren’t changed by new leadership now … when?
… if political leaders lie, steal, are corrupt aren’t voted out of office now, …when?
… if children are not given the opportunity for a well-rounded education taught by competent, professional, respected teachers who are well paid now … when?
… if those who are addicted aren’t treated as valued human beings who need professional help and are given that help, now … when?

IF
NOT
NOW
… W H E N?

Rom Hashoah is not just a time to remember all who have died in holocausts of the past – but those who are in similar situations now around the world.

It is time to ask the “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” question and expect answers that are honest, compassionate, respectful and helpful.


 

© June Maffin
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SOUL- QUESTION: “MAY I WALK”

SOUL- QUESTION: “MAY I WALK”

Quote:
“Happily may I walk. Happily with abundant dark clouds may I walk. Happily with abundant showers, may I walk. Happily with abundant plants, may I walk. Happily on a trail of pollen, may I walk. With beauty before me, may I walk. With beauty behind me, may I walk. With beauty above me, may I walk. With beauty below me, may I walk. With beauty all around me, may I walk. Wandering on a trail of beauty, lively I walk.

Author: Navajo chant

Soul-Questions

1. What moments in your life have you experienced
– “abundant dark clouds”
– “abundant showers”
– “abundant plants”
– “a trail of pollen”

2. How can you “happily” walk, regardless of outdoor weather conditions, your own inner emotional state, the global political angst?

2. What questions have been more important to you than the answers?

3. Consider your understanding of walking and the Navajo understanding. Is there a difference? If so, what?

4. What might prevent you from walking Navajo-style in your life?

5. What is your understanding of ‘beauty’?

6. What do you understand to be the Navajo chat understanding of ‘beauty’?

7. When you go for a walk, reflect on the ‘beauty’ you see “before me”, “behind me”, “above me”, “below me.”

In your journal, reflect on the above questions and how you might move beyond whatever blocked you in those circumstances.


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How to use “Soulistry Soul-Questions”
You may want to begin a Journal so your responses are all in one place. Write the quotation. Add the first question and write your response. 

Take your time in writing your replies.
This is your time.
These are your answers. 

Then at your leisure, add the second Soul-Question and respond and continue on.  Btw, it helps to put the date after each Soul-Question response.

The “Soul-Questions” group on Facebook can be found www.facebook.com/groups/soulquestions

The “Soul-Questions” website can be found at https://soulistry.com/soul-questions-blog-posts

© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
www.facebook.com/groups/soul-questions-blog-post

AN EASTER GIFT: Invitation to Soul-Questions

AN EASTER GIFT: Invitation to Soul-Questions


I wish you H A P P Y  E A S T E R! and send you a gift: an invitation to explore and work with “Soul-Questions.”


Out of a global atmosphere of fear, anxiety, loneliness, alienation of spirit and continual reminders of the emergency situation in many countries because of climate change, political haranguing, personal stress, a growing concern for emotional, mental and spiritual well-being is growing. Many are finding themselves stressed – uncertain about the future for themselves, their families, democracy, the world. And so, not surprisingly, a growing awareness of the importance of balance – physically, intellectually and spiritually and “listening” to the Voice-Within is becoming an integral way of healing – bringing calm to individuals.

Through a series of over “Soul-Questions” based on 80 inspirational quotations from ordinary and extraordinary people around the world living in different centuries, Soul-Questions offer an opportunity to … know oneself more deeply … reflect on a multitude of issues … embrace life in new ways … ask “what do I believe about …” and in doing so, reduction in stress can emerge. In the process of responding to the Soul-Questions, a deepening of spiritual awareness can encourage the reader on a unique journey of self-discovery.


From the book “Soulistry-Artisty of the Soul: Creative Ways to Nourish Your Spirituality”) the Soul-Questions are, according to Dr. Larry Dossey a method of “finding the silence and attention that a healthy soul requires.”


Some keep their responses to the Soul-Questions in a personal and private Journal; some use them as a jumping-off point for discussion with others who are responding to the questions as well; and some simply quietly reflect on the questions at various times in their life.


You are welcome to join Soul-Questions on Facebook (www.facebook.com/groups/soulquestions) – remember to scroll down through earlier postings and “stay tuned” as I’ll be adding more Soul-Questions in the coming weeks/months. You are welcome to contact me for information about purchasing the actual book. And, you can find the Soul-Questions here on the Soulistry website by clicking “Soul-Questions” at the top of the website main page or by going here: https://soulistry.com/soul-questions-blog-posts

Easter has many symbols and themes. One such theme is that of ‘new growth’. Whether you observe Easter for religious reasons or not, may the fifty days of Easter be a time of new beginnings and may Soul-Questions be an oasis of new self-growth, self-discovery, self-understanding and healing – bringing a bit of relief from personal/global stress. H A P P Y E A S T E R!!


Sincerely,
June Maffin

© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

“Soulistry:Artistry of the Soul” – content

“Soulistry:Artistry of the Soul” – content


Welcome to “Soul-Questions” one of the Soulistry *umbrella* groups.

The “Soulistry: Artistry of the Soul – Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality” publication offers 80 quotes by a wide variety of authors along with Soul-Questions to encourage readers to listen to the “still, small Voice within” and know themselves more deeply.

The book’s Preface, Prologue and Appendices supplement the Soul-Questions and are available in the print ‘book’ version available through Amazon, the author, your local bookstore, Gumroad. Over time, more of the quotes and their accompanying “Soul-Questions” from the book will find their way to this Facebook group. If you have a particular title from the list below you would like posted here, feel free to write me here on this site or: june at soulistry dot com.

Please note that if you subscribe to this website, you will receive all Soulistry postings directly into your inbox. No record is kept of your email address – no selling of your personal information either.

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TITLES of Quotes and their authors (all with permission to publish) are as follows.

Aging … Mark Twain
Aiming High … Michelangelo
All Shall Be Well … Julian of Norwich
And the Day Came … Anais Nin
A Spiritual Experience … Pierre Teillard de Chardin
A Spirituality of Play … Margaret Guenther
A Spirituality of Work … Confucius
Being Remembered … Mattie Stepanek
Believing … Verna Dozier
Blessed Are You … Jesus of Nazareth
Challenge Your Limits … Jerry Dunn
Come to the Edge … Guillaume Apollinaire
Courage … Ambroe Redmoon
Darkness Deserves Gratitude … Joan Chittister
Deeping the Mystery … Francis Bacon
Doing Good … John Wesley
Doing What You Think You Cannot Do … Eleanor Roosevelt
Draw the Circle Wide … Gordon Light
Excursions to Enchantment … Thomas Moore
Faith … Patrick Overton
Feeding the Wolf … Cherokee Legend
Finding God’s Presence … Herbert O’Driscoll
Forgiveness .. Mahatma Gandhi
Friends … Kahlil Gibran
Gift … Denis Brown
Gladdening the Hearts … Henri Amiel
God’s Milk … Anne Sexton
Gratitude … Meister Eckhart
Happiness … Chinese Proverb
Hatred Ceases … Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
Holding Fast to Dreams … Langson Hughes
Hope Has Two Daughters … Augustine
Journey Inward … Dag Hammarskjold
Keening … Lara
Keeping Secrets … Paul Tournier
Laughing At Ourselves … Katherine Mansfield
Life Goes On … Robert Frost
Light From Within … Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Living Life With Confidence … Henry David Thoreau
Look Well to This Day … Sanskirt Provert
Loving Your Enemy … Jesus of Nazareth
May I Walk … Navajo Chant
May You Be Blessed … St. Francis of Assisi
Mystery … Martin Buber
Nothing You Can Do … Desmond Tutu
Open Doors … Alexander Graham Bell
Peace Within … Jill Jackson
Problem-Solving … Anthony D’Angelo
Questions That Speak … Chinese Proverb
Radiating Intrinsic Goodness … Wangari Maathai
Rekindling the Light … Albert Schweitzer
Religious Belief … Dalai Lama
Rising Every Time … Confucius
Risking Frustration … Thomas Merton
Secret of the Spiritual Life … Gerald Heard
Seeing the Spirit Sparkle … Gwen Weaver
Six Letters … Gemma Black
Soul Alive … Eleonora Duse
Soul Harvest … Lao Tzu
Soul Stars … Pamela Vaull Starr
Spiritual Mountain-Climbing … Sri chinmoy
Success … Henry Ward Beecher
The Acquisition of Wisdom … Solomon ibn Gabirol
The Art of Being Kind … Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The Idea of God … Madeleine L’Engle (Miguel de Unamuno)
The Mark of Wisdom … Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Only Journey … Raider Maria Rilke
The Web of Life … Chief Seattle (traditionally attributed)
The Well Within … Thich Nhat Hanh
Today I Am Asking … Alice Hancock
Today’s Road … Nagarjuna (traditionally attributed)
Tomorrow’s Seeds … Chinese Proverb
Trusting the Unseen … Ralph Waldo Emerson
Vulnerability … Sigmund Freud
Walking In and Out … Joy Harjo
What Does Love Look Like … Augustine
What is Spirituality … Dan Wakefield
What We See … Peter Thornton
Worldly Inexperience … Joseph Addison

In the Appendices:

How to Make Your Own Journal
The Soulistry “story”
Author Biographies
About the Author – Who Am I?