Awesome Video of Earth from Space and More!

This is so breathtaking- our earth seen from actual time-lapsed footage from the Space Station!
Doesn't it make you want to pledge to honor and protect this beauteous planet for all time? And here are a few other photos from NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day. 

Sun with sunspot Credit: SST, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Orion Nebula  NASA, JPL-Caltech, T. Megeath (Univ. Toledo, Ohio)

Shapley 1: An Annular Planetary Nebula
Image Credit: ESO

 What our sun will look like one day when it runs out of nuclear fuel!

Saturn Storm Panoramas
Credit: Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA

And lastly, one I recently posted on Waking Planet on Facebook-

We each are a part of this magical, wondrous universe. May its beauty reflect back to you the boundless beauty that exists within you! Peaceful blessings.

Almost Forgot the Best Part- The Trees Talkin' !

To go with the post below. Hope you enjoy!

Tree Talkin'

"Waking Planet Flag in the Forest"                                                         B Upton

In my post, "Childhood Aha! Moments" I spoke of an early memory that has helped shape my worldview today.

I was about 7 or 8 and playing outside alone, as was usual for me, being an only child and not allowed to venture far. So maybe it wasn't surprising that I found my companions in nature. The wind was blowing and whistling through the giant elms overhead. As I looked up I had the distinct impression that the trees were talking to me! I remember feeling very comfortable "talking" to the trees. It seemed they understood and loved me unconditionally and I them! I can't remember specifically how these conversations went, but I was happy to have such powerful friends.

"Sacred Pond"                                                                                         B Upton

"Yellow Fall"                                   B Upton

I have had a love affair with trees and all of wondrous nature ever since.

The other day my 8 year old grandson said, "Grandma do you know that the trees exhale oxygen that we need to breathe in? And that they breathe in the carbon dioxide that we breathe out- isn't that amazing?" Yes it is. In addition to being beautiful, providing habitat for birds and animals, wood for our shelter and warmth, fruits, nuts and shade, trees anchor the soil, conserve water and act as the lungs of our planet.

Trees effect us on deep levels. Studies have shown that trees near homes can boost concentration, calm people, reduce ADHD in children, help people heal faster, strengthen communities and even reduce domestic violence!

"Red Trees and Pink Barn"                                                                       B Upton

"Tree by the Ocean"                                                                                           B Upton

"Magical Opening"                           B Upton

We can draw on the strength and endurance of trees in meditations. Like trees, we can become the intermediaries between the earth and heavens; the physical and the spiritual. For a short, guided meditation that will help to restore and calm you, try the Silk Cotton Tree Meditation.

And of course, I highly recommend hugging trees! Let your heart pick one out. Approach it slowly with respect. Touch its bark, breathe in its scent and the fresh air it creates. Look at the beautiful canopy overhead. Then press your heart next to the tree and wrap your arms around it and feel the pulse of life in the tree merge with yours. Allow its strength and steadfastness to fill you. Give thanks for its power and  beauty. And don't forget to talk to the tree (you can do so silently). They are very good listeners!

A Mini-meditation for Irene

Hurricane Irene Seen from Space                                                            NASA

Sending peace, protection, light and love to all 65 million of us in the path of Irene!

If you are one of them, here are some practical tips that may be helpful- http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral/article/when-a-hurricane-threatens_2011-08-22

It is also a good time to feel our connection to one another, to link up energetically with all the people sending love and care to the east coast and to add our own calm and loving intentions for the best possible outcome.


Irene mini meditation-
Take deep calming breaths- breathing in peace and exhaling tension. Focus on your heart center and feel it opening more to send loving thoughts to all in the path of Irene. Imagine a bright light emanating from your heart connecting with the grid of light that is covering the affected area. See the grid brightening as so much love is focused  here. 

Now focus on Irene and imagine it growing weaker and weaker and veering off to sea. See it growing smaller and slowing down. Feel your intention blending with that of thousands of others and becoming an unstoppable force for good!


Breathe deeply and allow the love and light in your heart to continue to grow and bring calm to all around you. May you be at peace. May you be safe.

Earth Shaking!

I was at my computer when I received a jolt and looked up to see rainbows dancing on the walls. The crystals hanging in the window were swinging back and forth and clicking against the glass. I heard the dining room table rattling. I jumped up and felt the movement under my feet. I wasn't sure what was going on and at one point thought my washing machine was really off balance! But then I knew- I had just experienced my first earthquake.

So the Eastern Seaboard of the US got a 5.8 quake that miraculously does not appear to have resulted in any serious injuries. Thanks be. One of the members of Waking Planet on Face Book who lives in the epicenter of the quake, said it felt more like a huge energy shift as more of us pull in more light during these transformational times!

No doubt about it, we are going through a Grand Awakening that will forever change how we relate to one another, the earth and to ourselves. We are remembering that we are not humans having a spiritual experience, but that we are spiritual beings having a human one; an old saying that expresses a profound truth! With that remembrance comes boldness, joy and a dedication to bringing more sanity and love to our planet. As we align ourselves with our souls, we are able to give the gift only each of us can and that the world so desperately needs. As I said in my response to her, "We become the guardians of the earth and agents of divine love we were meant to be."

The earth of course is also talking. She is protesting the removal of her mountain tops, the scraping of her ocean floors (bottom trawls and dredges) the polluting of her air, waters and land, the fracturing of her crust (fracking), the cutting of the protective ionosphere with high energy radio beams (HAARP), the oil spills, the forcing of DNA across species barriers (genetic modification), the landmines, the nuclear waste...

So I also think of the quake as a wake up call from Mother Earth! We have got to stop messing with her and learn to live in harmony with the earth and all life on it again. Now I know that is a tall order- but I do believe that when enough of us awaken, well then anything is possible. As I have said here before,

"As the old world disintegrates there is dislocation and confusion- but through the cracks a new light is shining! As millions awaken to their true and beautiful natures that light will only grow in brilliance and power. The solutions that will come from a connected humanity that is in alignment with the earth are almost beyond imagining!"

I also think that as more of us awaken on our own, the shift will be smoother for all of us.

Just a few entries down on Waking Planet someone had posted a video of Gregg Braden. He was talking about the touching story of geese and how closely attuned they are to one another as they fly. By going together in formation they are able to go 71% farther than by going alone! There is no one leader- they take turns and- this is the amazing part- if one of them is injured or sick and falls out of formation, two geese always go down with that bird. They stay with the injured one until the bird dies, or is able to fly again. Then the three fly off together, eventually reconnecting with their flock. Braden says we are essentially living as a flock moving toward a common goal. He asks for each of us to have compassion and forgiveness, so that no one is ever left behind, as we all move together toward the Shift of the Ages.

Clear Stream Media: Women in Black in the Hudson Valley and Beyond- new video!

Clear Stream Media: Women in Black in the Hudson Valley and Beyond- new video!

Childhood Aha! Moments

Dating myself with this old photo!

Sometimes during difficult times it is good to get back to basics and nothing gets me there so easily as remembering moments of insight from my childhood!

I was a lucky kid, the only one in a loving extended family, so my epiphanies were for the most part, positive. I think it is important to remember all the times when you arrived at a belief about life. Sometimes, when we were hurt as children, we may have come to a conclusion that is really not borne out today. For instance, we may have decided at an early age that we were not good enough. We need to revisit erroneous conclusions like that and see them from an adult perspective. Sometimes we also need to comfort our inner child and to allow the healing to begin. 

These Aha! moments are very powerful. We need to reinforce the moments of pure clarity when we saw we were one with all and to work with the conclusions we made as children that were false and that we can now release.

"It's never to late to have a happy childhood." Tom Robbins

When I think of Aha! moments from my childhood, that helped shaped me into who I am today, this is the first that comes to mind.


I was about 11 and I was very excited because I was going to my Aunt Jennie's to make Santa Claus's out of brandy snifters! As I recall, you gave him a Styrofoam head and made felt arms that wrapped around the bulbous glass which was his belly. This sounded like high art to me and I could hardly wait.


But then something happened, I don't recall what and I was told I could not go. I was disappointed in the dramatic way only an 11 year old can be, when suddenly something else popped up (again I can't even remember what it was) but I thought "Oh, if I had gone to Aunt Jennie's I would have missed out on this way cooler thing." It was then and there that I had the epiphany...

 "Everything always happens for a reason."

It has been at the core of my being ever since. Of course, the terrible suffering of humanity seems to make this a naive and even heartless maxim, but one must take a much larger view to realize there is divine perfection in all of it. That does not mean we are off the hook to do all we can to lessen the suffering in this world. I think that is one of the main reasons we have been put on this earth.  But when you act from anger you add anger to the world, when you act from inner peace and love that is what you increase in the world. When you remember that every event in your life, no matter how painful, was designed by your higher self to serve the awakening of your soul in this lifetime, everything changes. You approach the world with compassion instead of judgment. Forgiveness blossoms more easily and organically. 

Today this particular Aha! moment manifests for me as an overriding trust in the inherent goodness of the universe, of humanity and of the Divine Plan of which we are all an integral part.

My second Aha! moment occurred when I was a younger child. I was learning that there were many different religions in the world. People were all praying to different Gods, which utterly confused this choir girl from the Olivet First Presbyterian Church! Then one moment it hit me- they were all praying to the same One and calling the One different names. I remember feeling much better then and had my first sense of the unity of all humanity.

The third moment I will share in my next post is about the day I discovered my relationship to the trees; a relationship that still gives me wonderful strength and positive energy. Til the next time (which I promise will be soon)!


I'd love to hear about your Aha! moments from childhood. Peaceful blessings of love and never forget...

You are the center of the universe. 

Divinity exists in you as Love 

unconditional and endless.

Are You a Wayseer?

The Inchworm and the Blue Flower

                  

Had fun watching and photographing this little guy- not sure exactly what he is- but he moves like an inchworm. If anyone knows more about him let me know!

Coupled with the bright blue of the balloon flower, they made quite a pair.  I love his arrow-like, black markings and his seemingly infinite number of ways to move about; hanging upside down one minute- standing at attention the next! He also moves well to the beat of African percussion. Thanks to Joakim Lartey, joakimlartey.com, for the great music!

Sacred Earth Series, Part II- Pond Life

I had fun putting this together- entering into the secret underworld of a pond to watch the mystical minnows, floating salamanders and serpentine snakes. I must admit it was a little addicting, especially watching the minnows; silver one moment, black the next, flinching when they touch, to sensuously running their bodies over one another, stationary in patterns that reminded me of calligraphy (what is their message?) to darting so fast as to be a blur and appearing and disappearing, into and out of nowhere.

On the radio I heard an ex-prisoner describe the hierarchy there and the lowest of the low were called "minnows". When you search for "minnow" you find mostly articles describing them as bait- near the bottom of the food chain.

Yet I find them lovely with their gossamer fins, mysterious movements (they often move backwards) and the way they catch the sun and glint silver in the water. It was also intriguing to focus in on the way they are with one another and how they move as one.

“To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour”

William Blake

Owl Snoozing- Laying Down to Sleep!

As some of you know, I am an avid lover of owls and also most fortunate to have been graced by their (almost daily) presence many summers for the last 11 years. The babies usually make their debut in the spring with an unusual, kind of sucking-in sound (one year my husband thought it was the sound of some cheap sneakers he had bought!). Lucky for us, the babies, like all babies, seem to have their hours mixed up. And they don't have any fear of us, in fact, they seem very curious, often landing near.


Well, so far this year no sneaker sound, not a baby in sight. But I still hope the babies may appear, or maybe the adults will visit as I do hear their whoo whoo whooing quite often.


In the meantime, here are some shots from last year. Sorry they are a little blurry- he was high up and I was hand holding, but the sequence is fun and I have never seen an owl sleep like that on a branch before- have you?!


I just happened to catch him when he woke up in the last photo. I like that he was looking right at me, as he had been before his little nap.

 

Blessings of New Awakenings to you!

Beauty in Blue

Dear Friends, I don't know why, but this post magically disappeared from the blog. It has gotten thousands of hits- I'm not sure where folks are coming from- but thought I should repost!

Holy Blue Flowers                                                                                    B Upton

Crescent Earth                                                                                            NASA

"November Volunteers"                                                                    B Upton

"Ice"                                                                                                            B Upton

"Three Baby Owls at Night"                                                                       B Upton

Earth from Space                                                                                  NASA

"Blue Angel"                                                                                            B Upton

"The Catskills"                                                                                       B Upton

Butterfly Tree                            Photographer Unknown

    

 

May we open to the holiness of life all around us and within us!

Sacred Earth Series Part 1- in Honor of the Solstice

Hope you enjoy this little video I just did! The Mountain Laurel was so beautiful this year and I loved its contrast to the dark forest. I was able to capture a few visiting creatures too. Future series will feature the owls (hopefully)!

I want to thank the wonderful musicians Joakim Lartey and Thomas Workman. Their piece is called "Solstice 1111" They will be playing as Bakana! in Woodstock with Chris Lane (electric and acoustic guitars, cigar box guitar, ngoni, looping, and more!) Check them out on Saturday, July 8 at 8PM, at the Vivo Gallery, 105A Mill Hill Rd and be prepared to be transported to other realms!

Happy Solstice! May the bright, radiant light of the Solstice fill you with warmth and vitality!

Returning to the Mountain

It was wonderful coming home a few days ago to find the Mountain Laurel in full bloom. I was returning from the Southwest, so the lush verdant life of New York in early June was particularly soothing! The cool, moist mountain air also felt like a healing balm. I spent most of the first day back just being in the woods. My batteries needed recharging!

So I apologize for being absent from this blog for awhile (I was happily caring for my three wonderful grand- children). I am back and excited to see where these musings on beauty, the universe, inner peace, unity consciousness and transformation go! I hope they brighten your day and help strengthen your connection to our sacred earth, all life and your deepest self. I hope they, like my Waking Planet flag, remind you of the peace available within you and in our world. May you find inspiration here for believing in yourself, opening your heart and making the contribution that only you can make to create a more loving and just future!

I was also thrilled that a lovely blue heron was part of my first day welcoming committee.

"The intelligence of the universe's design is equally matched by the depth of love that inspired it."

Christopher Bache

Peace to you!

Barbara

Beauty Heals!

Feather of a Male Indian Peafowl                                 Michael Maggs

Indigo Lactarius                                                                                   Dan Molter

African Grey Parrot Peeking Out From Under Its Wing                                      Avenue

Great Egret Nest with Three Chicks     Mike Baird

Henbit Deadnettle               Masaki Ikeda

Physalis                                                               Rudiger Krutz

The Antelope Canyon in Arizona                  Lucas Loffler

Swan with Nine Cygnets                                                 S Sepp

Lilium martagon                                                                                Bohringer Friedrich

Most of the photos and artwork on this blog are my own, but it is always wonderful to be able to share what I think are some of the most beautiful photos on the internet, through Wikimedia Commons! Thank you to all the great photographers who choose to share in this generous way!

Nature beckons to us continually... come closer and see the intricate, exquisite artistry of life all around us! It invites us to slow down, breathe deeper, and to feel our oneness with our beautiful, sacred earth and all life! We can breathe in the brilliant shimmering color, explore the exquisite patterns, get lost in magical light and be charmed by the graceful lines of the natural world. We can let beauty have her way with us! Greater contentment, inner peace, connection to the earth and to your true, eternal self, are the gifts she gives in return.

When you really allow beauty in, you also are recognizing the ephemeral nature of life and the preciousness of every living thing, every moment. Gratefulness will naturally well up in your heart and that is a good thing. 

The other night I heard a new bird singing, with a lovely trill at the end. I was listening with joy when I suddenly burst into tears. I didn't expect that! But the bird's song was just so perfect, yet so vulnerable. It made me want to protect the earth and all its life even more. I also felt blessed by the beauty all around me and sent out a prayer that more will be able to deeply connect to the beauty of our earth and find the healing that is waiting for them there.

Connect to mother earth 

to breathe more deeply

Breathe more deeply

to connect with beauty

Connect to beauty

to open to gratitude

Open to gratitude

to focus on what is working

Focus on what is working

to draw more if it to you

Draw more of it to you

to follow your heart 

Follow your heart

to live your soul's purpose

Live you soul's purpose

to be you.