I’ve noticed lately that I feel a little out of touch with my spiritual self.  I wonder about the relationship between spirituality and the seasons.  I’m sure it is different for everybody, but I seem to notice a pattern.
In the spring, I feel that I’ve been reborn.  Like I can breathe [...]

It is now mid June. This means many things: the end of the school year, the beginning of nicer weather (hopefully), the start of the La Grande Farmers Market, and, of course, the end of Farm to School’s “Spring Greens Month”.

Soto Zen Serene Reflection Meditation dates back to at least the 1200’s and has its base in Buddhism.  As with methods discussed in parts 1, 2, and 3, can you guess what I’m about to say again?  Yup.  Show up, sit still.
SZSR may be done in a group or alone.  One [...]

We all have them.  Those old bits of baggage from our childhood, relationships, physical traumas, even past life baggage.  Have you ever noticed how with some wounds, no matter how hard you try, they are resistant to a “cure”?  Have you ever noticed how something seemingly inert can trigger a full-blown [...]

The long and the short of it is, Centering Prayer is a Christian form of meditation which has a long history in the contemplative practices.  I’m not certain if it borrowed from Buddhism or other religious contemplative practices or if many traditions came upon the value of similar methods.
I have been [...]

Part I was an overview of meditation.  In part 2, I will examine Transcendental Meditation which was introduced in India in 1955 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (the dude in the photo).   The movement took off and was, it seems. most popular during the late 60’s and 70’s.
There was a training [...]

In 2006 my husband was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis (a multisystem granulomatous inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas or small inflammatory nodules) &  my world turned upside down.  Overcome with worry, fear, insecurity & what ifs I began to question what future we had together.  He however, went to the health food store, bought a 5 system [...]

In this 5 part series I will give an overview of meditation and examine a few main styles of meditation practice such as Transcendental Meditation, Centering Prayer and Soto Zen Serene Reflection as well as take a look at some of the meditation supplies that are on the market to assist [...]

Spring and the Wood Element
We in Eastern Oregon experience a long, drawn out early spring. It’s frustrating, one day fifty degrees, the next we wake up to new snow. the daffodils poke their little green shoots up, growing a millimeter a day, and we wonder if spring will overcome winter. Spring is a time of [...]

What do beer, the special sauce on a McDonald’s Big Mac, and blue colored shampoos such as Aloe Vera or Revlon Aquamarine have in common? The EDTA Molecule …
I used to think that reading labels was sufficient until a friend told me that my lotion, which read 99.9% Natural on the label, contained propylene glycol: [...]