An experience of hearing a guiding voice, shared by Viv Hawkins I was finding my job extremely difficult. I loved the mission of the organization with which I worked. The workplace setting, commute, and benefits were all pretty good. Given those factors, the compensation was acceptable. I valued almost every one of my colleagues. AndContinue reading ““Look here.””
Author Archives: friendviv
Among Old-growth
An experience of the vast harmony of nature during self-led forest bathing, shared by Viv Hawkins. There among the old-growth redwoods of northern California. Massive. Towering. The tallest trees on this awe-inspiring planet. We had been on this trail before today. And I had been on it for some time that day. And then, outContinue reading “Among Old-growth”
Forest Bathing
Forest bathing is the practice of immersing ourselves in natural settings, particularly but not exclusively, forests. It involves slowing down and paying attention to our natural surroundings with our full complement of bodily senses: smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste. Here’s how: 1. Find a location in nature The ideal place is a quiet areaContinue reading “Forest Bathing”
Taizé Chant
Taizé pronounced (teh-ZAY) is used to describe both an ecumenical community in France and its style of sung prayer and chants. Amidst the multicultural assemblies of global pilgrims at the Community of Taizé in France, a new kind of music developed to fit these global gatherings: brief sung texts, often in Latin, set to simpleContinue reading “Taizé Chant”
Neurographic Art
“We all want to go somewhere in life, but you can’t open new doors with old keys.” – Pavel Piskarev, D.Sc. One way to view neurographic art, also known as neurographica, is “the art of world transformation.” Combined with breath deepening and relaxation, it connects body science with art to awaken dormant neurological connections. ThisContinue reading “Neurographic Art”
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
“Love is the most universal, the most tremendous and the most mystical of cosmic forces. Love is the primal and universal psychic energy. Love is a sacred reserve of energy; it is like the blood of spiritual evolution.” The Spirit of the Earth, 1931, VI, 32, 33, 34 Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. was aContinue reading “Pierre Teilhard de Chardin”
Śrī Aurobindo Ghose
“The spiritual life (adhyatma-jivana), the religious life (dharma-jivana) and the ordinary human life of which morality is a part are three quite different things and one must know which one desires and not confuse the three together. “The ordinary life is that of the average human consciousness separated from its own true self and fromContinue reading “Śrī Aurobindo Ghose”
Mutual Accountability Group
Our setting: We meet monthly in a mutual accountability group. We are on Zoom across four time zones. We’ve been meeting for about a decade now, including at a common geographical space when circumstances allow. Nancy: … What do you need? Viv: I just need to feel fulfilled. How that happens can change from dayContinue reading “Mutual Accountability Group”
Zooming Way In and Out
A mystical experience during day 7 of the 10 day Vipassana meditation sit offered by volunteers in the Goenka tradition, shared by Viv Hawkins. We had been silently attending to the sensations of our body for hour upon hour every day, noticing them and observing how they changed, refraining from eye contact and speaking, exceptContinue reading “Zooming Way In and Out”
Contemplative Photography
Over the past decade, since a workshop in Contemplative Photography, I’ve continued the practice of Practicing contemplative photography allows me to explore the world from a deeper, more aware gaze. It frees me from the pressure to capture the image and, instead, receive the image that reveals itself to me, that captures me. It hasContinue reading “Contemplative Photography”
mystical friend 