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The year 2020 continues to bring us more surprises each and every month! This past week, here in Colorado, we had a summer snowstorm – yes, summer snow! Our trees were just starting to show a little yellow as autumn approaches and yet we had a few inches of snow right after a day of 90 degree temperatures!  This has truly been an unforgettable year. And it’s not over yet. As we move into the time of the year when daylight decreases and surprises seem to be around every corner, do you have spirit guides supporting you? My song and practice: "I Wanna Get To You" will help you connect to your key spirit guide. Access a full meditation here to discover one of your key spirit guides who can support you right now. St. Hildegard’s Feast Day is this week, September 17th. She continues to be an inspiration to me, and I call upon her regularly for support in finding my own courage and strength in challenging times. I often think of the time in the 12th century when St. Hildegard, at age 42, heard a divine voice commanding her to speak and write about her experiences. She shared what it said to her, “… speak and write what you see and hear… according to the extent that you see and hear those things in the heavens above in the marvelousness of God… Write those things not according to yourself or by the standards of another person, but according to the will of the one knowing, the one who sees and arranges all things in the secrets of His own mysteries.”  St. Hildegard didn’t want to act on this at all. I can certainly understand! She was frightened and anxious. She felt insecure and inadequate. I feel like this from time to time. You probably do too! To share her visions with the world was going to be a big step. It was going against the culture and traditions of the time. Women weren’t part of the clergy in her time. Women didn’t preach, speak publicly, or write. Certainly not on controversial topics such as visions from God! St. Hildegard had to muster her courage and hold on to her faith that it would be okay, since she was being guided by the Divine. “…. I put my hand to writing. Once I did this, a deep and profound exposition of books came over me. I received the strength …. and under that power I continued to carry out the work to the end..” - St. Hildegard of Bingen  Sometimes we see obstacles in our path that stop us from moving forward. Really they are just illusions. Illusions that are our own fear creeping in and stopping us from taking action. But if we stay connected to the Divine, we are able to move forward on our true path in life. Then we’ll be able to bring to the world what we came here to share, even if it’s new and different. Our hearts open and we engage in manifesting our work in service to humanity. “Humanity, take a good look at yourself. Inside, you’ve got heaven and earth, and all of creation. You’re a world – everything is hidden in you.” -St. Hildegard, Causes and Cures On your current journey in life, does fear or anxiety rise up within you? Does it become a stumbling block to moving forward? Fear that maybe you’re inadequate or not enough? Fear that you’ll fail or that others won’t want what you have to offer? Does this cast a shadow that stops you from moving forward on your path?  Now’s the time to gather your courage to move beyond any fear or anxiety. To overcome your own inner dragons that may manifest particularly during this time of year.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson With this impulse of courage to let our own light shine, we can bring about new and powerful ways of thinking and living in our communities that will be fruitful. And others will find their strength to do the same! I can hear St. Hildegard’s words from her Second Vision in Scivias, as she shares, “And again I hear that one speaking: ...For when the land is tilled with a great deal of labor, it brings forth a lot of fruitfulness. It is similar with the human race because after the fall of humanity, many virtues rose up to help...” My song and practice: "I Wanna Get To You" will help you connect to your key spirit guide. Access a full meditation here to discover one of your key spirit guides who can support you right now.
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Summer’s all around us in its glorious splendor. What beauty! The lush green crowns of the trees sway in the breeze as the warm sun shines down upon them. Flowers are bursting forth with the bright colors of yellow, pink and violet. What a lovely celebration of life and growth! Of Viriditas, as St. Hildegard would say.  The warm summer brings to mind images of the gentle lull of the ocean and the seashells found upon the beach. I’m reminded of the Hindu goddess, Durga, who holds on to the conch shell, a symbol of the Divine that existed in the first sound of creation and still resonates in the sacred word, Om. In Hinduism, the goddess Durga is considered the protective Mother of the Universe. She protects all that is good and harmonious in the world and, sitting upon her lion or tiger, battles the forces of evil in the world. She’s a powerful and invincible force. In these challenging times that have continued into the summer, have you found your own inner power? Or have you become overly critical or judgmental of others? Has anger bubbled up inside of you and been directed toward others? Or maybe you feel completely powerless and ineffective to meet your current life challenges? Do you feel like you have no energy to take them on? If you’re experiencing this, then take some time to focus on your solar plexus chakra. The solar plexus chakra is the third chakra and located between your navel and the bottom of your sternum. It opens in a forward direction and is the source of the light that radiates your personal power and strength out into the world.  It’s the awe-inspiring energy of the sun that ignites your power, burning away any blockages that may be getting in your way. It empowers YOU to be confident, responsible, and reliable. Opening new doors in your life. It supports you in finding the strength to meet challenges and move forward. To take up action, with a strong will and warmth. You can call upon the goddess, Durga, to support you in balancing your solar plexus chakra and to help you discover your strength and courage within. I invite you to join me in chanting the Healing Durga Mantra in my Free Healing Library as you sit in a relaxed, yet upright position. Before you begin, speak this prayer to the Divine Spirit: “Divine Spirit, infinite source of life and love, I ask that you support me in bringing balance to my solar plexus chakra. I release and dissolve any negative energies or experiences within this energy center so that I may shine with my own radiant power and strength while I grow into the Light of the Divine to become my highest self. “ Then, begin the Durga mantra chant. Remember to end with a moment of silence and inward reflection.  May you discover that the strength and courage you need is within. You’re more powerful than you realize!
Interested in learning more mantras to support you in accessing your inner power in this challenging time? Check out my guidebook and audio recordings, How to Bring Life to Your Chakras: 7 Healing Mantras. Our words have great power. Greater than we even realize. They express our thoughts and our feelings in the moment.  Our words have the power to heal and power to create anew. And when we listen to the words of another, truly and deeply listen to the words of another, without wanting to respond, without judgement, without trying to fix, we can enter into the world of the other. Here, with our attention and presence, we can participate in the healing of their pain or in the creation of their new idea that is needed in the world. Deep listening connects us.  Using the Voice to Heal There’s a section of the Kalevala, the great epic of Finland that illustrates the incredible power of the voice and illuminates the possibility that exists for all of us. I’ll share it here with you, in story form. Vainomoinen opened his mouth and began to sing. He sang a most powerful song that only the wisest and the oldest upon earth could sing. It rang with eternal wisdom that stretched to the farthest depths of the sea. Across the wide expanse of land. And to the heights of the sky. He sang of life and death and the origin of all that was created upon Mother Earth. He sang of the waters, the mountains, the animals. And of himself, the first human being. He sang of love and hate. He sang of creation and destruction, of ease and pain. He sang of all such matters of importance in the world. The words of song traveled across the land as seeds do in a breeze. The Earth came alive and shimmered like the leaves of a birch tree. For She remembered her Origin. The sunlight danced. The streams bubbled. The mountains trembled. The flowers swayed. All creation sparkled in this knowledge  Vainomoinen sang on. He sang of the origin of the sledge. Then the runners of the sledge became branches of a willow tree. Then disappeared into a seed in the earth…. He sang on. Soon Joukahainen’s sword rose out of its sheath at his hip and sunk into the ground becoming a rock as a flash of lightning struck it… Joukahainen was now terrified as he saw the power of Vainomoinen’s song. He stood there helpless. Off flew his wool coat and hat, back to the sheep who disappeared into thin air… Then suddenly, Joukahainen felt himself moving toward the nearby lake! He stumbled at the edge and found his feet sinking in thick mud. Though he tried, he could not pull himself up out of it… ……for Vainomoinen deeply understood that the healing of the pain and suffering comes from the power of remembering and voicing its origin. Vainomoinen continued singing, but the melody changed significantly. Now, as he sang, Joukahainen moved upward out of the muddy bank and onto the dry land. His wool coat and hat returned to him… Vainomoinen continued, now with the sweetest song of creation. Joukahainen’s wool coat and hat returned to him. His sword returned to its sheath. The runners on his sledge appeared once again. All of the land glimmered with the life of creation. May we remember that our words have great power. Power to heal and power to create anew in our lives and in the world. Bearing witness to another’s words with deep listening lets us participate in their healing and in their creation in the world. The Throat Chakra This is at the foundation of the fifth chakra, the throat chakra. It’s located in the throat area that includes the neck, jaw, shoulders, and also ears. It’s the source of your speaking, listening, and ability to express yourself authentically. When your throat chakra is balanced and you speak your truth, it’ll be experienced as authentic and compassionate. You’ll be able to be open and honest. To stand up for what you believe, yet not be hurtful toward others. You’ll also be able to listen deeply to others, giving them an experience of being heard and understood, a profound human need.  The main obstacle within the throat chakra is self-doubt or the negative voice within your thinking. You may fear how others may respond to you or judge you. This may interfere with your ability to express yourself or speak your truth. You may shake or stutter as you speak. Or speak words before you think. Balancing the Throat Chakra with Mantra Chanting a mantra that relates to a Hindu deity associated with this chakra can help you to bring awareness and healing to this chakra, supporting you in finding your voice in self expression and in communication with others. To help balance the throat chakra, we can call upon the goddess, Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess, of abundance, wealth, and beauty. She is depicted wearing red clothes embroidered with gold thread, indicating activity and prosperity – both material and spiritual. She can support you in your efforts to speak your truth with compassion and to listen deeply to others, bringing abundance to all. You can find the Healing Lakshmi Mantra in my Free Healing Library and chant along with me as you sit in a relaxed, yet upright position. Before you begin, speak this prayer to the Divine Spirit: “Divine Spirit, infinite source of life and love, I ask that you support me in bringing balance to my throat chakra. I release and dissolve any negative energies or experiences within this energy center so that I can express myself authentically and with compassion as I grow into the Light of the Divine to become my highest self.” Then, begin the Lakshmi mantra chant. Remember to end with a moment of silence and inward reflection.  Interested in learning more mantras to support you in accessing your inner power in this challenging time? Check out my guidebook and accompanying audio recordings, How to Bring Life to Your Chakras: 7 Healing Mantras.
One of my favorite flowers is the radiant lotus blossom. This flower pushes through the muck and mire of the waters reaching toward the light. It opens its blossoms of beauty, untouched and unsoiled. Connected, yet hovering just above the mud below. A pure and radiant beauty.  As we are in the midst of the muck and mire of the pandemic and the pain of bringing more awareness to the continued systemic racism in our country, I try to bring the image of the lotus flower to mind. I take time to contemplate what is the divine opportunity that exists in this moment and how I can be of service. I focus on my seventh chakra, the crown chakra. That’s what gives us the ability to “rise above” and access higher states of consciousness, as we open to that which is beyond ourselves. It’s located at the top of the head and slightly above the head. It sits like a crown, opening upwards. It’s the source of our connection to the divine energy of creation and to our higher self. Also to the experience that we are one with everyone and everything in nature. So, I take time to bring my awareness to my crown chakra so that I’m able to feel grounded and connected to the divine. I open myself to the experience of unity with others and the world, endeavoring to discover the deeper meaning of life and feel a deep peace in this current time. I seek to experience the Divine within myself and within the world.  Opening the Crown Chakra with Mantra Are you, too, pondering the higher meaning in our current circumstances? Are you wondering how to understand this and how you can be of service to the world in this moment? I invite you to join me in chanting a mantra that relates to a Hindu deity associated with the crown chakra that can help you to bring awareness and healing to this chakra, supporting you in connecting to the divine and feeling at one with all that is. With the crown chakra, we can call upon Brahman. Brahman is not to be confused with Brahma, the Hindu deity. Brahman’s without a beginning and without an end and yet is within all. Brahman is cosmic spirit and infinite consciousness. The universal principle and eternal truth. You can find the Healing Brahman Mantra in my Free Healing Library and chant along with me as you sit in a relaxed, yet upright position. Before you begin, speak this prayer to the Divine Spirit: “Divine Spirit, infinite source of life and love, I ask that you support me in fully accessing my crown chakra. I release and dissolve any negative energies within this energy center so that I feel a deep peace in life and unity with others as I grow into the Light of the Divine to become my highest self.” Then, begin the Brahman mantra chant. Remember to end with a moment of silence and inward reflection.  Interested in learning more mantras to support you in accessing the divine in this unusual time? Check out my guidebook and accompanying audio recordings, How to Bring Life to Your Chakras: 7 Healing Mantras.
In this unusual time, our hearts are heavy with grief and pain. We see how much work we still have left to do in the world to relieve human suffering. What suffering of the heart have you experienced recently? Have you felt the loss of a loved one or isolation from those you love? Have you felt the pain of our country with the recent protests against police brutality and racism?  Are you able to open your heart to compassion, love, and understanding – for yourself and for others? Opening the Heart Chakra Chanting a mantra that relates to a Hindu deity associated with the heart chakra can help you to bring awareness to this chakra, healing your hurt and pain and opening your heart to love, compassion, and understanding. The fourth chakra, the heart chakra, is located at the center of the chest. It’s the bridge between the lower chakras of matter and the upper chakras of spirit. It’s related to the element of air. We can use our breath and movement, within the air, to feel deeply connected with all that is around us, harmoniously exchanging energy with it. When this chakra is open and balanced, you flow with love, empathy, and compassion. You accept others and yourself. You forgive easily. You have unconditional compassion for yourself and others. Your heart is free from past hurts. You are open to love.  I love the old tradition in Japan that is called Kintsugi, the mending of broken pottery with gold. It reminds me of how our pain and suffering can be transformed. A lovely piece of pottery glimmers with cracks that are filled with gold. Giving the piece an appearance that is unique to itself. Unlike any other piece of pottery. The artist, instead of hiding or disguising the past, has transformed the piece’s damage and history into something beautiful. The original piece now becomes even more stunning and unique than before it was broken. Creating a glorious, new life. In this art form, I’m reminded of how we don’t have to hide the pain in our hearts, but we can transform it into something new that serves the world.  To help transform the pain of your heart, we can call upon the god, Krishna, the Hindu god that radiates love and compassion. His playful nature also reminds us to remain good-natured through the challenges that come our way in our life’s journey. You can find the Healing Krishna Mantra in my Free Healing Library and chant along with me as you sit in a relaxed, yet upright position. Before you begin, speak this prayer to the Divine Spirit: “Divine Spirit, infinite source of life and love, I ask that you support me in bringing balance to my heart chakra. I release and dissolve any negative energies or experiences within this energy center so that I can open my heart to love, compassion, and understanding while I grow into the Light of the Divine to become my highest self. “ Then, begin the Krishna mantra chant. Remember to end with a moment of silence and inward reflection  May you transform the pain within your heart, filling it with gold, so that you may open to love, compassion, and understanding to serve the world!
Interested in learning more mantras to support you in accessing your inner strength in this unusual time? Check out my guidebook, How to Bring Life to Your Chakras: 7 Healing Mantras. Our nation is in pain and agony. It is clear. As protests and unrest have erupted across our country, it’s clear that our fellow human beings are not only grieving but also feel compelled to speak out for justice and demand changes to the destructive and hurtful ways. At the same time, across our country, many are grieving the loss of the lives to the coronavirus and the loss of freedom in life as we knew it. Our hearts are heavy. There is much grief and sadness. There is anger. We are in pain. How do you work through your pain? How do you support others in pain? To heal my own pain and suffering, one spiritual practice I turn to is mantra chanting. The sacred sounds coming from my voice resonate throughout my body, bringing my being back into harmony and balance. Then, as my voice rises into the air, I can send that same energy out to my fellow human beings who also suffer.  Healing with Mantra Chanting Chanting a mantra that relates to the Hindu deity associated with a chakra can help you to bring awareness and healing to a particular chakra. Our second chakra, the sacral chakra, is located in your lower abdomen, a couple inches below your navel and where our emotions reside. This is a good place to focus when we feel pain and suffering. The sacral chakra is a place where we can access our creative nature to move through challenges. And where our relationships with our fellow human beings grow.  The goddess Saraswati, reigns over creativity, wisdom and knowledge, music and the arts. She can inspire our creativity in life. She can support us to find our creative expression that can flow forth in dance, yoga, drawing, painting, singing, and in all aspects of our daily life, allowing us to access our deep wisdom that will guide us through difficult times. Saraswati supports human beings to ignite the seeds of creative expression within themselves and bring to form in beauty that which has not yet come to manifestation in the world. Whether it be an idea, thought, dream, song, artistic piece or passion. A new impulse comes into being! Creation of the new that is needed in the world. As you begin to feel the soothing of the grief, pain and suffering that lives within you and the world around you, you can move toward the creation of a new way in the world. Sara meaning Essence, and Swa as One Self comes together as The Essence of One Self. In the word Saraswati the meaning becomes, “One who Leads to the Essence of One Self.” Saraswati, the one who taps into the deepest essence of who you are and your gifts to the world that are needed that can flow through you and out into the world. In service to humanity. You can find the Healing Saraswati Mantra in my Free Healing Library and chant along with me as you sit in a relaxed, yet upright position. Before you begin, speak this prayer to the Divine Spirit: “Divine Spirit, infinite source of life and love, I ask that you support me in bringing balance to my sacral chakra. I release and dissolve any negative energies or experiences within this energy center so that I may bring to birth my own unique creative expression while I grow into the Light of the Divine to become my highest self. “ Then, begin the Saraswati mantra chant. Remember to end with a moment of silence and inward reflection.  May Saraswati help you to soothe the pain and suffering at this time and rediscover the creative aspect within that will guide you to bring to the world what it is needing now.
Interested in learning more mantras to support you in accessing your inner strength in this unusual time? Check out my guidebook and audio recordings, How to Bring Life to Your Chakras: 7 Healing Mantras. Last week, I encouraged you to discover how to access your own inner strength to support yourself in this unusual time. It’ll help you to step away from the chaos that exists out there in the world right now and find your own center and place of peace. Click here to access last weeks blog. Even while this crisis in the world continues into the summer, you CAN find your center and inner peace — with the help of a spiritual practice!  I shared with you that chanting mantras is one of my favorite practices to support me in difficult times. Mantra chanting, practiced for centuries in wisdom traditions, has been used as a way for people to find a deeper presence. It helps you stay focused... and in the present moment - using the mantra as the place for focus. It supports you in letting go of your negative thoughts and emotions and what you cannot control in the world. I’m sure you have noticed that many mantras are in Sanskrit. Have you wondered why? Sanskrit is considered a divine language – a language of the gods. It’s possibly the oldest language on earth. Its spiritual light shines through its sound and form. It’s said that Sanskrit was given to the ancient Rishis (sages) and spoken by the enlightened beings of that time who passed the language to their students.  The word, Sanskrit, actually means “well or completely formed, purified, refined, polished.” The meaning of each letter in the Sanskrit alphabet is created by its sound and is considered a bija, or seed mantra. The language of Sanskrit itself has transformed or evolved over time. Many say that it has become illuminated. Because it has been used by many enlightened beings in spiritual practice, their joy and light penetrated the very essence of the language. Sanskrit became luminous, a poetic and musical language where the sounds and words are flowing and dynamic. They allow for many meanings and possibilities. For example, the root RAM has many meanings including (but not limited to) to be calm OR to delight in OR to rest OR to join OR to play. Today, we can still use Sanskrit to connect with the Divine. The sound vibration of Sanskrit can bring balance, remove negativities from the mind, and bring healing to the physical body. While chanting a Sanskrit mantra, your body relaxes and your mind becomes calm. Your head and your heart connect to your body. Energy flows to the process of restoring of your body, mind, and health back to wholeness. Back to balance which is our natural state. When we select Sanskrit words to repeat in a mantra, we’re invoking its meaning within us to help shift patterns from negative to positive. The effect of the mantra depends on proper pronunciation of the sound. Some linguists consider Sanskrit to be the perfect language as when its sounds are pronounced properly it evokes a unique vibration in the Universe that puts into motion whatever is trying to manifest through the mantra. OM is a wonderful mantra in Sanskrit to include in a spiritual practice on a regular basis. OM (ohm) is the representation of the totality of being, the sound of the universe. It’s the first, original vibration, representing birth, death, and rebirth. It’s everything. It’s saying yes to Divine presence in the now. Another favorite of mine is OM GAM GANESHAYA NAMAHA (ohm gung gah-nay-shah-yah nah-mah-hah). I like to use this one whenever I’m facing a challenge or obstacle of some kind in my life. Ganesha is the name of the Hindu deity and represents the power that’s present in everything, as the power behind all power, and all the masses of energy that it controls.  This mantra is saying, "Lord, God of hosts, I invoke you." Or "Ganesha, through whose power everything is possible, no obstacle can stand in Your way."
You can listen to an audio for this mantra here in my Free Healing Library to support you in learning the correct pronunciation. Interested in learning more Sanskrit mantras to support you in accessing your inner strength in this unusual time? Check out my guidebook, How to Bring Life to Your chakras: 7 Healing Mantras. How are you doing these days? The current state of the world’s really requiring us to take a closer look at ourselves and to see how we truly are doing. Over these long weeks, we have come to see how closely we’re connected to everyone in the world. And how a crisis can affect all of us in our everyday lives. During these days when we’ve been at home, we’ve become more aware of our own fear and anxiety and how we manage that in our lives. We’ve become more in touch with our inner self as we are isolated from others. We’ve even become more aware of others’ suffering and pain around the world.  How are you doing in accessing your own inner strength to support yourself in this time? Are you able to step away energetically from the chaos that exists out there and find your own center and place of peace within? Your thoughts, your way of being, and your engagement in this time do make a difference. A big difference! When you are able to shift to a grounded and more positive place when needed, you’ll experience less suffering. Even while this crisis in the world continues into the summer, you CAN find your center and inner peace — with the help of a spiritual practice. Chanting mantras is one of my favorite practices to support me in difficult times! Mantra chanting, practiced for centuries in wisdom traditions, has been used as a way for people to find a deeper presence. It helps you stay focused... and in the present moment - using the mantra as the place for focus. It supports you in letting go of your negative thoughts and emotions and what you cannot control in the world.  By continuously repeating a mantra, we introduce the vibrational frequency of that mantra into ourselves and sustain it for a period of time. After a little while, you begin to resonate with the vibration of the mantra and also the words. Since mantras have sacred and deeper meanings, you resonate at the vibrational frequency with the Divine, with healing power, with your Higher Self. As you come to resonate at the same frequency as the mantra, over time, the mantra gains its own strength and momentum. At this point, you shift from chanting the mantra to the mantra having an effect upon you. This is the space in which a mantra can be deeply transformative. Some say that mantras connect us to a universal archetypal energy field far greater than ourselves that reflects the nature and meaning of that mantra. We then vibrate with a higher level of consciousness that purifies the body and mind. These fields have been strengthened over many, many years by those who have repeated the mantra in the past, and they have tremendous potential for our healing and development. So, it’s important in choosing a mantra that you do so consciously, whether it’s for spiritual practice or healing. I’ll share some guidance on how to use a mantra.
 Mantras can be used anytime and anywhere when said internally. When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed with your emotions or your thoughts, using a mantra can calm and center you. Bringing you to a place of groundedness and peace.
Not sure what mantra to choose to get started? A good place to start is with OM. Read about this mantra in my post here. Then explore guided mantra chanting for the chakras in my Free Healing Library. Ready to dive in and bring this transformative practice into your spiritual practice for this unprecedented time in the world? Check out my guidebook, How to Bring Life to Your Chakras: 7 Healing Mantras. When you look back on your life’s journey, do you feel that you discovered your true purpose and were able to realize it in your life? Or do you feel you missed your true calling in life? Do you feel it’s too late to discover this? Or maybe when you look back, you remember your childhood dreams and you realize that you never were able to realize those. Do you feel it might be too late now?  What if it’s not too late and you can bring life to these dreams? What if now is the perfect time to let your true calling blossom in the world? Whenever I’m in need of inspiration to birth a vision into the world, now, in my later years, I remember St. Hildegard. She lived to the ripe old age of 81 following her calling in a time where a typical lifespan was half that! When she was 52 years old, she felt called to leave her home of 40 years, the Abbey of St. Disibod, and take the bold step to build her own abbey where St. Rupert’s church on the Rhine River had been destroyed. The inspiring work of St. Rupert in the 7th century fueled her commitment to move forward with this project.  And yet, she was faced with many obstacles along the way. The monks at St. Disibod strongly objected that she was leaving. Understandable, as several sisters leaving with her meant that the monks’ financial support would too. Yet, she continued to find her courage to do what she felt called to. And she moved forward. She built Rupertsberg, a place for her to manifest the Power of the Living Light. The early years on the Rupertsberg were difficult ones. Some sisters even left. Still she persevered with the passion she had for the project. And then at the age of 67, marching forward, she created a second abbey! Then as she entered into the last decade of her life, she stayed active each and every day - writing texts that would share with others her plant remedies for healing, developing her own forms of worship and dress at the new abbey, and writing letters to the Emperor and the Pope. She even stood up for a revolutionary youth who, upon death, had repented and so she agreed to have him buried on her property, in spite of the consequences. The authorities were upset and her convent was placed under interdict. Yet she fought against this injustice and won yet another battle, shortly before she died at age 81.  What wisdom and experience, alongside determination, courage and action she displayed in her later years! St. Hildegard is such an inspiration to me as I live my journey through this third phase of my life. We’re never too old to take up a passion, to find meaning in life, and to try something new! Here are a few tips for finding the courage to thrive in your later years of life that I’ve learned from guides such as St. Hildegard in my life. May they support you too!
In this phase of life, when the busy time of raising children and building a career passes, we can begin to savor the moments of life in a new way and not let them rush by. Friends, family, new experiences, and nature can be more deeply enjoyed. Passions that have been dormant can now begin to blossom!  May you discover the meaning and purpose of this phase of your life’s journey and find the courage to allow it to blossom in the world!
Want to move forward with your creative dreams, so matter how old you are? Check out my upcoming course: "Master Your Creativity" Yet another spring snow has blessed us recently here in Colorado covering my blossoming flowers with a gentle blanket of white. While it was cold and blustery outside, I decided to warm my home with the aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves by making a batch of one of my favorite recipes- Joy Cookies. And it never fails….as the smell of spices floated through the air of my home, my two adult daughters appeared and gathered around me in the kitchen. Gone were the feelings of sadness, overwhelm and isolation we were experiencing in this time of sheltering in place, as we enjoyed these delicious cookies together. Once again, St. Hildegard has touched my life. She’s always an enduring inspiration to me! In the mid 12th century, St. Hildegard recognized the health benefits of many herbs and spices. It was then that she shared a basic recipe for ancient biscuits or cookies that are commonly called “Hildegardplätzchen” (Hildegard’s Cookies). Today we might call them "Cookies of Joy" as she said they lift any melancholia, open your heart, and bring you a sense of cheerfulness and joy. Certainly something we all could use in these challenging times!  In her book, Physica, St. Hildegard recommended the use of nutmeg for its healing powers and offered the following recipe. “Nutmeg has great heat and good moderation in its powers. If a person eats nutmeg, it will open up his heart, make his judgment free from obstruction, and give him a good disposition. Take some nutmeg and an equal weight of cinnamon and a bit of cloves, and pulverize them. Then make small cakes with this and fine whole wheat flour and water. Eat them often. It will calm all bitterness of the heart and mind, open your heart and impaired senses, and make your mind cheerful. It purifies your senses and diminishes all harmful humors in you. It gives good liquid to your blood, and makes you strong.” -Hildegard von Bingen, Physica -1153AD  If we take this seed that was planted by St. Hildegard long ago into our current times within natural medicine, we see that nutmeg is known for many health benefits including the following: · Supports a Healthy Brain – nutmeg contains myristicin and macelignan, natural organic compounds that have a stimulating effect, supporting focus and concentration and also protecting the brain from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s · Eases Pain and Swelling – the essential oil of nutmeg helps to relieve muscular and joint pain resulting from injury, strain, or chronic inflammation such as arthritis · Improves Circulation – the potassium within nutmeg relaxes blood vessels, controls blood pressure, and improves blood circulation · Boosts Immune System – the minerals in nutmeg such as potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese help fight against bacteria and disease · Cures Insomnia – nutmeg has a high content of magnesium, a mineral that reduces nerve tension and supports the feeling of relaxation Here’s the recipe for St. Hildegard’s Joy Cookies that I use, based on her original ingredients, but adapted to our modern times. I hope you find that they bring you joy within your home during these times of sheltering in place! The spices of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves have their own unique health benefits that will boost the immune system, reduce tension, and improve mood. The sweet aroma that will arise in your kitchen will certainly bring you a sense of joy and well-being too!  St. Hildegard made many contributions to the field of holistic health and wellness. The wisdom that Hildegard shared about natural healing, nutrition, and healthy living was a seed planted that continued to flourish into the future within the field of natural medicine.
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to access my Free Mini Video Series: 3 Keys to Master Your Creativity inspired by St. Hildegard. It’s only available for a limited time. Access Video #1 Access Video #2 Access Video #3 |
About JeannineI was born in London, England, educated in Switzerland, and am fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French. I hold a Doctorate in Ministry Degree and Masters Degrees in Counseling Psychology and Education. Also, I am an accomplished artist and educator. I use all of this and much more when helping others heal their souls. Archives
September 2020
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