Author: Ann-Marie

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Combining the sedentary with an activity

Much is being written about the fun of streaming movies, baking sour dough breads, reading, and zooming with friends.

To stay balanced remember to include movement. Qi Gung, tai chi, yoga, a huff and puff walk/run, wild dancing, strength training, art work, and gardening are all worthy to counteract any stagnant qi.

Why the combination? Being sedentary can trigger lethargy, depression and hopelessness. By purposely moving deeply into activity we jump over separating and destructive emotions. Spirit Openers abound!

For me the best combination in the morning is sitting on my cushion with qi gung soon after. Then mid-day another sit with a good huff and puff walk after. At sunset a bit of gardening with a book on the back portal later.

What might be your combination?

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Spirit Openers

Ready to move away from “Ain’t it awful?” thoughts ~ at least for the next 24 hours? Then do it! Train and focus that mind of yours.

Ask yourself, “What actions will open my heart and spirit to thrive?”

Write down the actions as you continue to ask yourself the question. Then choose at least one Spirit Opener each day to keep you balanced, grounded and thriving!


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Armor of Antidotes

Let yourself be protected from fear by the Armor of Antidotes. Below is a short list.
•Meditate and find wisdom alone on your cushion
•Meditate and find wisdom with others (see Silent Support below)
•Dive into calligraphy or collaging or qi gung
•Do breathing exercises on the porch in the fresh air
•Make a simple and colorful meal
•Sip miso as you read an absolutely wickedly wonderful book
•Zoom with a friend and write five syllable poetry together
•Plant seeds and watch nature unfold
•Reach out and love up an elderly friend on the phone
•Create your life!
•Be. Here. Now

For silent support:
Join colleagues from around the world to meditate and “Explore the Silent Spaces of Infinite Mindset” each day from 6am – 6:30am Mountain. Our fourth week begins tomorrow. It has become a refuge for many of us.

The Zoom room opens around 5:50am Mountain. So come early and settle in. Then at 6am we begin. Here is the registration link which will give you the Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/271214182?pwd=bDNGQS9Pc0VPd0x0T3FjdC9XRGtFZz09



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Time to Shift!

We know more about what this is about now. We know it’s unfolding. We know more will be revealed.

We know the demons. The fears. The difficulties. The death. The frustrations. The cabin fever. We know what works and what doesn’t. And in many ways we know too much.

While you are in lock-down I challenge you to shift wholeheartedly and begin having a frolicking good time. Laugh just for the sake of laughter. Dance for the sake of dancing. LIve to the fullest in a new way and notice what emerges.

Have fun…go for it. Even if only for five minutes. Let me know what happens for you!

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The Silence of Chopping Wood and Carrying Water

Yesterday mid-afternoon I went into silence. Except for posting the blogs and leading the morning meditations I will be living unplugged for the next few days.

Why? Since my early 20’s silent retreats have been strong medicine to realign my body, mind, heart and spirit to radical changes in and around my life. Being in silence, sitting on my zafu, making simple meals, and doing kinhin in the morning and evening helps me sink into the “what-isness” of the infinite moment.

Within the silence the ordinary becomes extraordinary…
In this silence fear cannot live.

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Sometimes there are no words…

For silent support:
Join colleagues from around the world to meditate and “Explore the Silent Spaces of Infinite Mindset” each day from 6am – 6:30am Mountain. Our fourth week begins tomorrow. It has become a refuge for many of us.

The Zoom room opens around 5:50am Mountain. So come early and settle in. Then at 6am we begin. Here is the registration link which will give you the Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/271214182?pwd=bDNGQS9Pc0VPd0x0T3FjdC9XRGtFZz09

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Going Beyond the To Do List

Take three minutes
With pen and paper
And write down
My Best Traits List.

Keep your list close by
To remind yourself
(When you have forgotten)
Who you are when living life at your best.

And now practice
Being that person
Again…
And again…
And then yet again
Living life at your best.
••••
For silent support:
Join colleagues from around the world to meditate and “Explore the Silent Spaces of Infinite Mindset” each day from 6am – 6:30am Mountain. We are beginning our fourth week and it has become a refuge for many of us.

The Zoom room opens around 5:50am Mountain. So come early and settle in. Then at 6am we begin. Here is the link :
https://zoom.us/j/271214182?pwd=bDNGQS9Pc0VPd0x0T3FjdC9XRGtFZz09

Deep bow to every….single….thing.


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Stay Alert with Kindness and Love

Fear brings the harshness of a heartless enemy.
It covers us with a suffocating blanket of paralysis.

The antidote?

Kindness and Love takes on all forms…

Without hesitation
Engage into the depths of Kindness and Love.

Bring Kindness and Love to all situations.
Breathe it in and out.
Let it wash over you.

Stay alert.
Actively bring your mind back
To actions of Kindness and Love
For yourself and others.

We will get through this…with each other.