-
First Illumination, 2023
February 2023 began today. It is a time of many different, Spring-yearning celebrations and observances, including Imbolc, Candlemas, St. Brigid’s Day, Groundhog Day, and leads to the Chinese node of Spring’s Beginning, and the Lantern Festival. Because so much emphasis is placed on beginnings, inspiration, and new life and light, I may just sum it up by calling it ‘First Illumination’.
-
New Beaver/Frosty Moon 2022
Though I am a touch belated, I am happy to have celebrated this new October-November moon tonight. I felt a strong urge to return to these lunar rites – and to renew my commitment to becoming a much more devoted priestess. I have needed to get my health under better control, and to set some new goals for mind, body and spirit. Tonight was excellent.
-
On: “Road to Heaven…”
“Road to Heaven: Encounters with Chinese Hermits”, by Bill Porter
-
On: “Morning & Evening…”
“Morning and Evening Services of the Quanzhen Order”, by Sung-Hai Kim
-
On: “Daoism and Chinese Culture”
A short bit of reflection on this book by Livia Kohn follows below.
-
Retreat and Ordination – April 22, 2022
I was ordained as a Daoist priestess on Earth Day, 2022. This was one of a number of coincidences, or perhaps ‘synchronizations of the Dao’.
Traveling up to the incredible Black Mountain Retreat Center in Cazadero, California, were six of us Daoists from various home states. The drive became rainy, dark, and nerve-wracking as the road narrowed and curved continually back and forth up the mountain. Even with the white-knuckled journey, one could not deny the absolute beauty of this place.
-
From “Road to Heaven:”
“Taoism teaches us to reduce our desires and to lead quiet lives. People willing to reduce their desires or cultivate tranquillity in this modern age are very few. This is the age of desire. Also, people learn much more slowly now. Their minds aren’t as simple. They’re too complicated.”
Master Jen Fa-jung -
Front Facing
I have completed a wonderful solo retreat. There were many moments of inspiration, and deeper reflection that really broke through tough ground. In addition to progressing with my Daoist meditation, I am working through a self-awareness course. These are things that go together well; a synchronous retreat integration. One of the parts of retreat that I try to leave time for is free-flowing journaling. This is an attempt to catch wayward thoughts and questions.
Excerpts from this retreat: Who am I now? I don’t think I know. I have spent so much time basing it on the idea of who I was. I’ve spent so much of my time trying to redeem myself from it, or clinging to it. It can be comforting. But what happens if I let it go? If I made a point to only reflect or build on those especially relevant pieces/lessons. …Could my ego take me releasing the pride and status? Why do I need to be interesting?
A message I received: “Release who you were to live as you are.”
I want to live in the now, or at least be front-facing...
-
Autumn Woman
-
On: “Daoism and Chinese Culture”
A book reflection on “Daoism and Chinese Culture,” by Livia Kohn