Speaking of Spirit

(c) 2017 Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas Since childhood, I have had a fascination with the Moon. I remember taking walks along the beach and my mother pointing out the Moon to me. She told me that, like the Sun, the Moon was always with us. As I grew older and studied, I learned many facts about the Moon. I also learned many legends and myths.   The Moon is most often, in indigenous cultures, seen as a female entity, which counters the common belief of "the man in the moon."  I find great comfort in the idea that Grandmother Moon is watching over me and those I love. I also love the idea that as I am looking at the Moon, a loved one far away can also be looking at it, creating an invisible connection from one soul/heart to another.    As a writer, I have written many poems about the Moon.  One of my first was:   LUNA CONFESSIONS   Stepping into the Confessional of Night  The Heart opens.  Dreams too real to believe in ...

Garden Labyrinth  (c) 2015 LMRN O n college campuses across our nation, the awareness that students, in order to learn and achieve, need wellness of mind, body AND spirit has increased.  For years, college administrat ors , especially in state run schools, have pushed for excellence in curriculum and provided various ways to maintain the physical wellness of students, but found promoting spiritual wellness un necessary.   Today, many colleges and universities actually have departments in which "Wellness" is not only taught, but promoted among both students and staff.  A great example of this is found at the University of New Hampshire. There, Spiritual Wellness is explained, taught and promoted.   Some examples of ways that they encourage students and staff to maintain their Spiritual Wellness is by walking labyrinths,  creating mandalas, meditating and doing yoga. (The college provides all of these modalities on campus.)  Si gns ...

Photo Credit: Public Domain Image  Bears hibernate. We learn this as young children in fairy tales, folklore and picture books.  When winter comes, bears find a nice cozy cave and sleep the winter months away...well, sort of. The fact is that hibernation doesn't mean that bears "sleep. "  They go into a state known as "torpor," from which they can wake quickly and easily if need be. The state of consciousness that bears enter is more akin to the meditative state of a practiced yogi.  The bears bodily functions slow down, but if they need to wake, they can and do. Bears teach us a great lesson in caring for ourselves. Like the bear, we, too, need to have periods of total rest. Times when we slow everything down so that we can process all that has happened, heal and return to balance. Each winter, I remember this - seems easier to remember when it is cold, icy and snowy outside.  Each winter, the call of Bear Spirit invites me to "hibernate....

When I began Speaking of Spirit several years ago, my intent was to offer those who read it something to sustain them through the week ahead.  I can only hope that the pebble I dropped into that pool has rippled far.   So, I find myself in the first full week of July.  Summer is here with all its sun, flowering plants, newly birthed babies and free time.  These glorious days a great time to find a quiet spot near some body of water or lush garden to look inward. This summer, I have already had moments of meditation in the garden as well as by the water's edge.  I have counted my blessings, which are as numerous as the stars.  I have sought forgiveness and forgave.  I have opened to the Universal Love that is there for all of us.   May all who read these words be blessed with Love, Light and Laughter.  May your summer days be filled with the sunshine of hope, the gentle breeze of faith and the rich fruits of unconditional lo...