Come to the fire
The dusk deepened and the moon rose higher, arcing across the darkening sky. We sat together staring into the fire, two men, friends, brothers. The wind kicked up and the air suddenly grew cold. I fed more wood to the fire, the expanding firelight illuminating our minds.
“Look at me,” I said gently, tears in my eyes. “What story have you made up about love, about your love? I’m listening–tell me.”
“The difference between peak performance and poor performance is not intelligence or ability; most often it’s the state that your mind and body are in.” ~Tony Robbins
Our contemporary lifestyles require us to remain seated—on our devices, in our cars, at the dinner table. But we are not designed to sit for extended periods of time. Or, to stew in an emotional soup of frustration, anger, grief, sadness or rage. Anything that disturbs our peace is an obstacle to our ability to be happy and productive.
And this is the danger we find ourselves in…
[Read more…] about Deep Breathing and Peak Performance
How often have you been too proud to ask for help because you couldn’t admit to yourself that you needed it?
Or you were unwilling to open yourself to another for fear they could not hold your tender heart?
Or you stoically hid the pain of what you judged as failure, ashamed to acknowledge or even talk about it?
How many times along the way have you buried the memory of fear and shame, hoping to never see them again? How many times?
[Read more…] about Spiritual Inner Voice
An altar reflects beauty: flowers, candles, photos, art, a rosary, a braid of sweetgrass, arranged in a particular way. An artistic presentation of your own design at home or office, a reflection of something personal, heartfelt, and sacred.
As a chiropractor, I had altars everywhere in my office, in the reception area and treatment rooms, on tables, windowsills and desk corners. To the ordinary observer, they were just part of the decor. For me they were touchstones.
[Read more…] about Spiritual Altars
My eyes pop open in the hours before dawn as though a dim voice has spoken plainly into my ear, “Time to get up. Come to the fire.” I swing out of bed and whisper to my wife, Carin, who is still asleep, “I’m going to the fire.” I quietly get dressed, drink ½ a cup of coffee, and head out the door with a medicine bag over my shoulder.
[Read more…] about What Is A Fire Ceremony?