with nature, their stress levels decrease, and their mental and physical health improves. They become calmer and they consciously or unconsciously become aware of the beauty, energy and life that surround us. I challenge you to do an
experiment. Take a survey of how you feel. How tired are you? What is your level of stress? What is your emotional index? Are you calm? Are you anxious? Now get up out of your chair and just step outside into a natural area. Find something natural that you find attractive. If this is not possible, find a favorite house plant and plant yourself in front of it. Now take a deep breath, and as you slowly let out your breath, let go of all the distractions, your wandering thoughts and worries and just focus on this object of your attraction. Bring your total attention to it. Touch it, smell it, study its design and all its details. Appreciate it and thank it for being there for you. Now just be silent and listen to the thoughts that come though you. Don’t answer those thoughts or dismiss them, just let them resonate within you. Feel them, appreciate them. Maybe if we all suspend
judgment and open ourselves to the world, we too may just see that fairy, hear the whisper of the pine, or revel to the chorus of the lilies and resurrection ferns. We’ll certainly never know wandering malls or sitting in front of our computer checking emails.
Take the
leap...and find a fairy.
inspiration MOTHERING THE WORLD
by Isha Judd
encounter with unconditional love. The service and selfless giving that mothering universally represents are qualities that we all must learn to emulate on our journey to self-realization. In order to love unconditionally,
F
I have learned that I must first learn to love and accept myself exactly as I am. How can I embrace others in their perfection if I cannot first see my own? If in judging myself, I reject certain aspects, unconditional love towards others can never be anything more than a hollow façade. Similarly, in order to mother the world, I must first learn to mother myself—to find the beauty and perfection of my own individuality and rejoice in my own unique way of being. Then naturally, acceptance and love of others will overflow to my friends and family and ultimately, to my community and the world.
When we cultivate true love
of self, the love that is present within radiates out to all beings, all peoples, and to Mother Earth herself. Many talk about what we should do—respect basic human rights, care for the environment and so on. Yet, if we must remind ourselves to do these things and so impose them upon ourselves, then the desire to care and serve is not arising naturally and spontaneously; then we are not dwelling in a healthy place where our innate capacity to give and support all life grows and thrives naturally. Ultimately, our own inner healing will cause these qualities
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or most of us, our mother is the earliest and most significant influence in life. She is likely our first
to flourish; not because we are trying to behave responsibly, but because out of an open heart, we are joyfully taking responsibility for nurturing and protecting life.
Unconditional mothering is
motherhood without fear or fear-based control. It is neither lax nor careless, nor based on pleasing or fear of losing the favor of a child. Real mother love knows how to set limits, establish boundaries, confront unsatisfactory situations and guide a child’s development with a steady, firm hand. Inwardly, such a large love is surrendered, trusting that things will unfold as they should and free of the ego- based fear of making a mistake, and so it is neither overprotective nor overbearing. An individual focused on
unconditional love is giving the greatest contribution of all to the evolution of our planet. Our gift to humanity comes through our own inner growth and advancement, a mothering of our self that births our own greatness, even as it brings out the greatness in others. As you cultivate an unconditional relationship with yourself, you will find the unconditional love you seek to express for your children, parents, friends and colleagues. You will
become a universal mother: a mother of the world.
Isha Judd is an internationally renowned spiritual teacher. Her book and movie, Why Walk When You Can Fly? (WhyWalkWhen
YouCanFly.com) explains her system for self-love and the expansion of consciousness.
May 2011 35
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