Letters from an Open Heart 5-02-07

Today I daydreamed back to a place in the woods where I once laid on green moss, staring up at the quilt-like canopy of birch leaves and blue sky. The human smells of shampoo and soap had sloughed off days earlier and I could smell the leave sand the rich humus of the forest floor—and my own wild self. Above me a pileated woodpecker belted out its wild call. Wild nature is my muse, carving beautiful lines in my mind that arc back and back to pre-thought—to a place before words, where fears and worries dim and I become pliant and receptive.

Annie O’Shaughnessy, from my Heron Dance days

Spiritus Mundi by Michelle DeMarco

Michelle is a Soul Flares reader. Meet her by visiting here. To purchase a print of this image visit here.
Visit Beauty Creators to meet other creative people.

Dear God,
(best read aloud)

Please bring us big life and big love, deep life and deep love.
We wish to show up now with pure and noble hearts that we might
midwife the perfection in each other.
May we see each other’s greatness and invoke each other’s light.
We surrender all the ways, both those we are aware of
and those that remain unconscious,
in which we block our love for each other.
We surrender our defenses.
We are ready to bring forth
the holiest vibrations of love and healing between us.
Where we are afraid to love,
where we have built walls in front of our hearts,
may we be healed and set free.
Where we are needy or do not know how to behave,
or tend to control or to judge
or to fix or be dishonest,
Please, dear God,
Show us another way.
We surrender ourselves to love.
We surrender our love to You.
May it serve Your purposes.
May it receive Your blessing and carry Your power.
May we never forsake each other.
Thank You very much.
Amen.

- Marianne Williamson

Dear Fellow Travelers,

Crouch down closer to the earth. That is what Spring begs me. Come see the Helvetica, Bloodroot, and Dutchman Britches! Lay down your heavy thoughts. And look! Here is an owl feather. Now come lie down on the cliff top--the young eagle arcs your way.

I listened to Spring's advice this weekend during the five hours of  solitude that I ask workshop participants to take on Saturday afternoon. I usually work during that time, writing or reading for Soul Flares, but this time I laced up my boots and set out on the windy magical trail atop the cliffs that rise out of Lake Champlain. Gnarled roots snake across the trails. Cedar trees sprout at improbable angles from seeming lifeless rocks. Moss carpets the gaps between rotting leaves and fallen trees.

I had asked the group to imagine themselves as human dowsing rods during their time alone, to allow themselves to wander without thought and to notice what made their energy stir.

And so I did the same. After an hour, I found myself in a place that I did not recognize from my other visits to the area, but for some reason inspired tears. As I walked farther, I recognized it as a place where a friend had taken me eight years ago -- his secret place where the rocks sloped down to the water, creating little nooks and crannies to sit in. When he said he was going to sit by himself some 30 yards away I didn't understand why. But when he added, "It's just nice to sit alone for a while," I thought, "Yes..it is. Wonder why I don't do that more?"  That day gave life to a very healthy habit.

I hear from hundreds of readers every week.These times seem to be taking their toll on many kind souls, making it the most important time to be kind to yourself, to nourish yourself. How can we love well, be of use, keep our bearings, if thoughts and feelings scatter, cluster, and careen inside of us? We need to find a calm place inside ourselves. So turn off the news, suspend doubt, soak up beauty, and spend time each week in the park, at the beach, in the mountains, meadows, or woods.

Blessings to you,

Annie O'Shaughnessy

What's New?

An Apology! During this past year of transitioning from Heron Dance to Soul Flares, I have not been as good as I would like to be at responding to all the emails I receive. If anyone did not receive a response and would still like to, please write again! annie@soulflares.org

Soul Flares Store A way to promote the work of people who create beauty.

Readers Write: A new topic is posted for this month and responses posted from last month. See below for details.

Wild Soul Journal: Through a meeting with an open-hearted soul, the idea for the Wild Soul Tour 2008 has been born! (I have written a few other posts since last time!)

New Soul Flares Website Pages: Check out excerpts I've collected from Julia Cameron's book Walking in the Wind.

Reader Recommended Resources: Please remember to visit the Tools for the Journey section of the website and post your own recommendations for books, websites, and teachers. Visit here.

Subscription to Letters from an Open Heart

I am working hard to develop ways to fund this work. Many people have recommended I charge people for this e-newsletter -- something I can't bring myself to do.

But, if Letters from an Open Heart does add something to your life, please consider donating what you think is a fair subscription price for 25 issues a year.

Visit here to make a tax-deductible donation to support the continuation of this bi-weekly email.

CoolMindWarmHeart.com

If you read my latest entry in my Wild Soul Journal you will understand why this website and this man are so special to me. Check out his new book Cool Mind Warm Heart and his photography at http://www.theheartoftheearth.com/

You will need high speed internet to view these websites well.

Visit here for CoolMindWarmHeart.com

Tools for the Journey

Newly featured: Coach Helene Van Manen's coaching work, mentoring, and retreats. Helene is one of the most generous people I know and a bright and beautiful spark. She has been supporting my work for years without much in the way of return! But I have been following her journey as its grown in joy and light and am no finally able to promote it properly.

Check out her River Retreat, distance training program for becoming a Life Coach, and more by visiting here.

Wild Soul Workshop

Reconnecting with Our Wild Souls:
July 27 - 30 Bolinas California

This retreat center in California is full of amazing healing energy. Perched above the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by beautiful trees and birds, this place feels like heaven to me.

Join a group of other open-hearted and open-minded seekers for a weekend of rest, solitude, fun, tender care, and soul exploration.

Visit here for more information or to sign up.

To read some participant feedback visit here.

Readers Write

Check out Reader's Responses to April's topic "Possibilities"?

I am consistently blown away by the quality of these responses -- honest, clear, and from the heart. Check out the newly posted page of responses to April's topic "Possibilities" by visiting here.

Share your thoughts on May's Topic "The Price Paid for Living One's Truth?"

A while back a reader wrote to ask how she can possibly live her truth without hurting the people she loves. I post that letter and my response in hopes it will inspire you to share your experiences with this topic.

Visit here to read.

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Soul Flares is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by writer and workshop facilitator Annie O'Shaughnessy, dedicated to providing beauty, inspiration, support, and community for people trying to live a soulful, creative life in harmony with nature and all beings. Through art, workshops, bi-weekly e-newsletter, and an online community, Soul Flares will provide light for seekers on the path.