Gratitude is a tool that keeps us in the present moment. As we count our blessings, we point our compass towards more joy in life. Here is a contemplative exercise based on Celtic-tradition. As you stand in the center of your life, each of the cardinal directions brings a different blessing. Contemplative Exercise Take out …Read More
Category: Ancient Wisdom
Native American Wisdom: “Nature is my teacher.”
“Nature is my teacher.” The Native American teachings rely on observation of Nature—listening to the stories whispered by of the natural world. The outer world reflects our inner world. When I have been in intense times of emotional and spiritual discomfort (depressed, burned out), I look to change everything around me. Start exercising. Change jobs. …Read More
Chief Tecumseh: A Poem on Living
A Poem by Tecumseh “So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view,and demand that they respect yours.Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service …Read More
Taoist Story: The Farmer’s Luck
There was once an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “Maybe,” the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses. “Such good luck!” …Read More
Episode 2: Shamanic Wisdom of the Ancient Maya (John Kralovec)
Interview Series by Dr. Joel Ying. “People of passion and purpose, doing interesting things, living their present moment.” LivingthePresentMoment.com/podcastshow … Guest: John Kralovec gives a insightful interview on the Shamanic teachings of the Ancient Maya of South America. “We have forgotten who we are. We have forgotten why we’re here. We have forgotten how to live …Read More
Episode 1: Teachings of Bear Heart (Molly Larkin)
Interview Series by Dr. Joel Ying. “People of passion and purpose, doing interesting things, living their present moment.” LivingthePresentMoment.com/podcastshow … Guest: Molly Larkin is a spiritual teacher, author, and workshop facilitator. Find her online at mollylarkin.com. On this interview, she shares with us her experiences with Bear Heart, a Native American Shaman, that saved her life …Read More
Goddess Brigid – A Time for New Projects
Guest Blog Post by Janis McCall: For those of you following my posts on the Celtic Calendar, we are entering the time of Imbolc. We honour the Goddess Brigid on February 1st (6 weeks after Winter Solstice). She is the dawn goddess, born at the exact moment of daybreak, Brigid rose into the sky with the …Read More
Celebrating My Celtic Year
Guest Blog Post by Janis McCall: In my Native Scotland, any reason to gather together and celebrate is a good reason. My last blog described the eight major festivals of the Celtic tradition. In my own life, I still honor them in my own way, sometimes with a group and sometimes with something deeply personal. …Read More
Celtic Traditions – The Wheel of the Year
Guest Blog Post by Janis McCall: Hello, my name is Janis McCall, and I live in Scotland. I have recently returned from a wonderful class in Sedona, Arizona. I attended a workshop on using the metaphor of the Native American Medicine Wheel co-taught by my dear friends Joel Ying and Suzanne Scurlock-Durana. In this annual …Read More
Understanding the Four Elements as Metaphor
The classical Greeks and many ancient cultures divided the world into four elements: fire, earth, water, air. Everything was thought to be composed of some combination of these four elements. The intersection of these four elements creates life. Today, we have other scientific models for the makeup of the universe. From molecules to atoms to …Read More