Armadillo – Boundaries.
We learn from the armadillo, which, by rolling into a ball, can be completely armored against attack, how to consciously define our own emotional and physical boundaries.

Bat - Rebirth.
Shaman initiates undergo a ritual death in which they face their fears and are reborn without their old identities. Bat medicine teaches us to release fear and any pattern which no longer fits in with our pattern of growth.

Bear - Introspection.
Bear medicine teaches us to go within, in order to digest our experiences and to discover that we contain within ourselves the answers to all of our questions.

Beaver - Builder.
Beavers work in cooperation to build their homes and domes, and this medicine teaches us that we can create and fulfill most powerfully when all involved appreciate the talents of each and work together in harmony.

Buffalo – Prayer and Abundance.
Buffalo teaches us that true prosperity comes when we are grateful for what we have and when we live in harmony and love with all other beings.

Bumblebee -Community, Celebration, Personal Power.
For the ancient Druids the bee symbolized the sun, the Goddess, celebration, and community. At festival times, people often drank mead, whose main ingredient is fermented honey, and in later Christian times monks lived in beehive-shaped huts, symbolizing the goal of a harmonious community, whether it included oneself and Spirit or other people as well.

Butterfly - Transformation.
Butterfly fearlessly leaves the safety of its cocoon to meet a new world in a new form, trusting its untried wings to allow it to fly. It is a powerful symbol for anyone who’s contemplating or in the midst of a major change.

Canada Goose - Sacred Circle.
The migration of Canada Geese marks the passages of the Great Circle of the Year, and reminds us of the sacredness of the cycles of our own life. We can also learn from the cooperative and communal behavior of these birds, who never abandon a sick or wounded member of the flock, and who know when to lead and when to seek guidance and follow.

Cat – Wholeness.
The cat, a creature which combines a high degree of sensuality with a deeply psychic and spiritual nature, teaches us that the physical and spiritual worlds are not separate, but one.

Cheetah- Speed and Focus.
Unlike other felines, who stalk, then pounce on their prey for the kill, cheetahs, the fastest four-footed animals alive, run down their prey. Their lesson to us is that of accomplishing our goals with speed and focus. When we feel stuck, cheetah medicine can launch us into motion. If we are moving with great speed but little direction, cheetah energy helps us to keep our eyes on our goals and to find the most direct way of achieving them.

Chimpanzee – Living in Harmony.
Chimpanzees are close to humans on the evolutionary scale, and the medicine of this animal can help to restore to us the simple ways of life that create joy. Chimpanzee medicine can nurture in us playfulness, curiosity, and self expression. It also fosters our ability to be full members of the human and natural community.

Coyote – Trickster.
When we’re being too serious about life Coyote may come along to teach us to laugh at ourselves. It is also the karmic enforcer, reminding us that whatever we do to others will be done to us.

Crow – Sacred Law.
Crow teaches us to know ourselves beyond the limitations of one-dimensional thinking and laws. This animal teaches to appreciate the many dimensions both of reality and ourselves, and to learn to trust our intuition and personal integrity.

Deer – Gentleness.
The power of Deer medicine is that of unconditional love. Only love, both for ourselves and for others, can dissolve the barriers which prevent us from realizing wholeness.

Dolphin – Breath of Life.
Dolphin teaches us that in attuning to the rhythms and patterns of nature we can learn true communication with the wisdom of All That Is and share this wisdom with others.

Dove - Peace.
The peace symbolized by Dove is that of the deepest kind. It quiets our worried and troubled thoughts, and allows us to find renewal in the silence of mind. In such moments of stillness we are able to appreciate simple blessings.

Dragon – Transformation.
Though Celtic tradition gives specific qualities for dragons of the elements of earth, fire, water, and air, in general terms, Dragon’s power is that of shedding its skin and emerging as a new, transformed being.

Dragonfly - Illusion.
When we’ve tricked ourselves into believing that the limitations of physical existence prevent us from changing and growing Dragonfly medicine teaches us to pierce our self-created illusions.

Eagle – Spirit.
Eagle flies fearlessly, bridging heaven and earth, and teaches us to courageously face our fear of the unknown in order to fly as high as our heart’s joy can take us.

Elephant - Commitment.
Elephants can teach us the power of gentleness, commitment, and communication in relationships. They are are deeply committed to all creatures with whom they have relationships, are powerful when protecting others and gentle in nurturing them. The matriarch of a herd practices leadership in a way that is both gentle and inclusive. Elephants’ ability to communicate telepathically can teach us how to truly listen to others.

Elk – Stamina.
This medicine teaches us the best use of our energy, helping us to take on no more than we need to accomplish, and to endure on our chosen path until we’ve reached our goals.

Fox – Camouflage.
Fox’s greatest gift is not being able to outrun the hounds, but to know in advance when they’ll be on the hunt. When we learn to detach from our surroundings and to observe with all of our senses, we, too, will be able to anticipate and create the future.

Frog – Healing.
As water cleanses the arid earth and returns life to it so Frog’s medicine can wash away any physical and mental energies which deprive us of harmony and peace, and helps to replenish our own ability to heal ourselves on all levels.

Gazelle -Awareness.
Gazelles, as the intended dinner of the big cats, are vulnerable, and maintain a high alertness to what goes on in their surroundings. Because cheetahs can run faster than them, gazelles have evolved the ability to nimbly dart from side to side, thus putting themselves out of the path of the cheetah’s straight-line dash.They teach us that with awareness and skill, we can be comfortable in our own vulnerability.

Giraffe – Grounded Vision.
The giraffe, the tallest of animals, may be as tall as 18 feet, with a neck as long as 7 feet. Ungainly as this animal may seem, its weight is well distributed, and it’s vulnerable only when it bends down to drink water. Giraffe teaches us to view our lives in a way that is both grounded and expansive and that in our desire to evolve spiritually, we must always remember we are physical creatures.

Hawk – Messenger.
Hawk teaches us to be observant and to pay attention to what we may overlook. This could mean a talent we don’t use, a blessing for which we haven’t expressed gratitude, or a message from Spirit.

Hippopotamus - Emotional Depths.
The hippopotamus, sacred in Egyptian and African traditions, is the second largest mammal on earth. Its name means “Water Horse,” and it spends most of its day in water. This animal, very substantial in physical terms, can guide us in grounding ourselves so we can face and dissolve emotional issues (the power of water).

Horse- Power.
Personal power is our servant, to be neither abused, squandered, nor kept to ourselves. When we share our power with others and teach them how to nurture their own power, our journey becomes faster and more joyful. In Celtic tradition the horse-goddess governs the life cycle of birth, death, the afterlife, and rebirth; thus, to work with Horse medicine enables us to feel comfortable with all aspects of this cycle.

Hummingbird - Joy.
Hummingbird darts lightly through the world, spreading its message of joy and beauty, and teaching us to appreciate the wonder and magic of everyday existence.

Jaguar – Solitary Path.
Like the tiger, this solitary hunter stalks patiently and strikes with lightning speed. Thus, it symbolizes the importance of knowing when it’s preferable to take the solitary path in stalking one’s own dreams. For the native people of the rainforests, everything contains Jaguar.

Lion – Courage.
The Lion symbolizes the astrological sign of Leo, which rules the heart (coeur in French). Courage comes from the heart and from one’s deep sense of personal authority, which creates the power to act in a way that accords with one’s spirit. One who acts truly from the heart is capable of leadership, achievement, and the kind of success that encourages the accomplishments of others.

Lizard – Dreaming.
In our dreams we imagine different futures and choose which we will materialize. Lizard teaches us the importance of respecting and remembering our dreams.

Moose – Self-Esteem.Moose represents expressing the joy of accomplishment, not to boast or seek recognition, but in a spirit of sharing, born of the understanding that joy is contagious.

Mouse- Scrutiny.Mouse teaches us to pay attention to the little details which might get overlooked in our mad dash to see the big picture, and reminds us not to overlook the obvious.

Mountain Lion Leadership.
To be true to oneself, allowing neither fear of responsibility nor the jealousy and insecurities of others to divert one from one’s path, is the mark of a genuine leader.

Otter- Woman Medicine.
Otter is receptive, playful, and free of jealousy. As both women and men begin to express the highest qualities of this medicine the world can become a joyful place where all can play without fear of harm or loss.

Owl- Wisdom.
Owl, the night hunter, has the ability to see what others may miss. The gift of this medicine is to be undeceived by external appearances and to discover the truth beneath them.

Peacock - Wholeness.
This bird, honored around the world for the beauty of its feathers, has also an association with resurrection. For us it can help in shedding the old and drab feathers of the past and to claim  the true beauty of our individual natures. As such, it helps to enhance confidence and self-esteem.

Rabbit- Fear.
The more we focus on our fears the more we attract them to us. Rabbit medicine teaches us to attract to us abundance, love, health, and a warm, dry burrow.

Polar Bear -Integration.
To the Eskimo and Inuit peoples this animal is a source of both physical and spiritual sustenance. Spiritually, Polar Bear is considered the embodiment of the spirit of the North, an animal who holds ancient wisdom and has shamanic powers. One of the largest land carnivores, Polar Bear is, nonetheless, capable of great speed on both ice and earth and can swim one hundred miles without stopping.

Raccoon – Dexterity, Disguise.
Though Raccoon’s mask is commonly associated with its so-called banditry (it has been know to open house doors with its clever hands in order to appropriate human food) the mask has a deeper meaning. It teaches us that none of us are quite what we seem, even to ourselves, that in our lives we can experience the freedom of many identities. This medicine helps us to assume and release the many roles we play.

Robin – Growth and Renewal.
Like many birds, robins are good parents, and one aspect of this power animal is the ability to nurture oneself into true adulthood. This concept also relates to Robin’s traditional connection to spring. This is the season of renewal, and when we let go of the past (much of which comes from childhood experiences) we are renewed, and free to nurture and serve both ourselves and others.

Seal – The Inner Voice.
The seal reminds us of our connection to our deep inner rhythms, feelings, and knowing, as represented by the sea. When we fear drowning in these depths, Seal reminds us how to swim.

Salamander – Transformation.This animal helps to connect us to the mysteries of the earth and to feel grounded in the present moment.Some salamanders are terrestrial, others and aquatic; while in magical traditions, Salamander also relates to the element of fire,

Skunk – Self-respect.
When we fully accept who we are and learn to express the essence of ourselves, without ego, we attract those who share our path and repel those who don’t. Skunk medicine is the original “Walk your talk.”

Salmon – Wisdom.
Salmon journeys to its ultimate goal against all obstacles in its quest to be reunited with the Divine. The energy of this animal helps us develop the wisdom to find the meaning and purpose of our lives, and to move with perserverance on our spiritual path.

Snake- Transmutation.
As Snake sheds its skin so we can shed our illusions and limitations in order to fully use our vitality and desires to achieve wholeness.

Spider- Weaver.
As Spider weaves her web so we weave our realities. This medicine teaches to remember that we are the creators of our lives.that we are the creators of our lives.

Squirrel – Gathering.
Squirrel, in preparing for winter, gathers only what it needs. This medicine teaches us to discard not only unnecessary physical objects but those negative beliefs which limit our trust in love and abundance.

Swan- Grace.
Swan teaches us to trust the grace of our being as it operates in both the physical and spiritual planes, and urges us to rejoice in the gifts of our physical bodies and our intuitive minds.

Tiger -Being in the Now.
The tiger is one of the most powerful of the big cats. A solitary, silent hunter, it symbolizes removing all distractions from the mind and being purely focused on the present moment. Thus, Tiger is able to call on all of its abilities in order to achieve success.

Turtle- Mother Earth.
By following the example of Turtle we can learn to ground ourselves in the nurturing and protective energy of the earth and to flow with its energies at a pace which assures completion of our tasks.

Whale – Record Keeper.
Through the rhythm and patterns of sound Whale teaches us to hear our inner voices, to be in touch with our personal truths, and thus to know the wisdom and feel the heartbeat of the universe.

Wolf- Teacher.
Though the moon rises every night Wolf always finds something new to learn from it. We, too, in exploring the hidden paths of consciousness, may discover new truths to share with the rest of our clan, the human race.

Zebra - Individuality.
The zebra’s distinctive stripes serves as a protective camouflage against predators, who are often unable to pick an individual out from the herd. For herd members, the stripe patterns, unique to each zebra, have the opposite effect of helping to identify individual zebras. This power animal thus helps us to both maintain our individuality in group settings and helps us to be supportive members of our communities. A third spiritual meaning for the stripes has to do with the integration of opposites, thus enabling us to see a deeper truth.

Credit Reference For Animal Power Meanings: Rainbow Crystal.com

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“Sharing The Burden”

with Stephan Cayton Briones

Sharing the Burden is “an artisitic social justice endeavour whereby people with an experience of poverty are given (inexpensive) disposable cameras with which to take pictures” and which resulted in a showing  in July of 2011 at Gallery 1313 on Queen St in Toronto, Canada.

All of the equipment used for both photographing and video taping are not of the quality most of us expect and/or are accustomed to viewing outside of hobby, neither are any of the participants “professionals”, but let us remember the words of Leonard Cohen: “Forget your perfect offering, there is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in, that’s how the light gets in”

or, as Stephan himself put it, “It’s in the substance, it’s all in the substance”.

SHARING THE BURDEN

My surname is Canada, my middle name is Ontario, and my first name is Toronto. If you live in this city and country, we all have the same name. We share a sacred responsibility to each other’s well-being that is noble in deed and action.
This letter is not to incriminate myself about the life I once lived, but rather the life I intend to live and the man I desire to be. I am happily over four years clean from my addiction to heroin and cocaine with the help of family, friends and professionals.
I no longer suffer from the memories of my past and I strongly feel that this project will have far reaching effects not only personally, but for the community as well.

After overcoming the darkness of self-destruction and poverty of the spirit, a yearning emerged within me to rediscover the people of this beautiful city and country. This evolved into a disposable camera project that began in 2008.
This is an artistic social justice endeavour whereby [inexpensive] disposable cameras are distributed to a variety of individuals from different social and economic backgrounds [and who shared the experience of poverty].

Their photographs have a way of telling a story that is outside the realm of language. The over-all purpose is to gather a series of life visions that reflect the differences between the misunderstood and the understood.

My purpose is to connect with those who feel misunderstood, to create a bridge of understanding that allows them to tell their story in the hopes that others will begin to share the burden.

Stephan C. Briones

All credit and praise to the film editor, Jeff Alderson, who had prescious little to work with yet managed to save the project.

Quiet Perseverence

You hoped for it, but it didn’t come true.

You wished for it, but you failed and got hurt.

There are many people who experience failure

And forget to hold on to their original ideals.

Perhaps, 99 people out of a hundred are like that.

Some cast away their faith

Because their wish didn’t come true.

It is very sad.

People like that,

Had come as far as the gate.

But unable to pass through,

They turned back from it.

This is called falling.

You experience so many failures and setbacks in your youth

Simply because there is so much that you did not know.

It is only because you lack in knowledge and experience,

Not because the law of realizing your desires

Or your faith are wrong.

Nothing can be acheived if you quit after three days.

To realize your heart’s deep aspirations,

Whether in studies, athletics or work,

You must quietly persevere.

First, give it three years.

Then ten years.

Continue to persevere for twenty, thirty years.

Then, you shall be walking in the land of your ideals.

by Ryuho Okiawa

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What can I do? How can I help?

By: Meighan McGraw, age 14

Kids are lying in cardboard boxes

Everyone is saying they feel bad

They don’t deserve what they have

They deserve more

Then to be poor

They have a life, just like I do

And I wonder to myself…

What can I do? How Can I help?

It hurts not only them but me

Can you see the hurt in me?

You can see all those lies

Inside their tired eyes

If you look at them, you’ll realize

What they’re going through to stay alive

I couldn’t see any joy in that little boy

I’ll bet he wishes he had a toy

In that little girls eyes

You could see, she would love a surprise

I wish I could help them cope with what they are going through

What can I do? How can I help?

2009, Saskatoon, Sask.

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Individual Peace Generates World Peace

“Chakra Vibrations arises from the inspiration of sharing internal peace with our global brothers and sisters. It is the wisdom call from our ancestors which invites us to meditate and remember that we are one. It is the hope of remembering everyday that we are all brothers and sisters and we live in and share this wonderful place we call Earth. It is the call which reminds us that the change starts within every one of us every single day by being an example with our own words and actions.

Chakra Vibrations is an offering seeking for Global Peace through the inner peace of all human beings on Earth. Together We Move Mountains and Create Pyramids. The time to Save and Protect Us as a Whole Has Come.

Positive Blessings, Love, Peace and Light Always

Namaste”

Individual Peace Generates World Peace

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I live outside the box-yet the box lives closed locked up in me.

I have approached the box, I have melded into it, I have never stood outside ‘to see what I could see‘. Let’s see.

It is oblique turquoise and silver shelled, twinkling on a soft pink cloud of hue; it holds the answer to my many quests and questions, the promise of a blessing, happiness and an unbound peace.

It is curiously outspoken untouched and unraveled this box surround is calling sound from all its dark corners sparkling the jewel all darkness holds.

That is neither here nor there but beckoning within. I look outside the box. That’s where I’ve got my training, that’s my experience, that‘s what I know.

All is not always what it appears to be, look between the leaves, the space in between, try something new create be here now and see. Reject convention for convention sake find the meaning speak to it so surely we will arrive at the truth…outside the box is me.

I have to find the answer and bring it to my turquoise chest, rise up to meet the quest, of my soul in me of me I- but I alone?

Perhaps, if I just open the box to take a peak …Let’s see.

Say good-bye to the questing in circles round and round the shimmering dazzling energy vibrating cubes Rubecks cube containing sustaining the whole. But why and where and how please not now not yet I plead before I forget the colored squares. Now where was I and why?

Ah my turquoise treasure all painted pretty with the shells of the sea, floating softly laying grace upon me now where is your key? Exquisite magical beauty breathtaking love and acceptance allow me to set you free- where is, tell me, where is the key?

I shall dance your mystery abide you serenade you woo you until I see how the key is me is me oh speak to me sweet mystery. Is it practice or is it faith, is it done once done or done over and over again is it forever reaffirming just returning returning well yes, that at least. oh sweet mystery share with me the secrets of my very solo soul and speak to me forevermore. Speak as I seek the answers deep within the crevices of your corners the darkness giving meaning  to the jeweled jewel the love yes the love…for you for me and  for all eternity…

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She is mighty Amazon Warrior, bronzed statue’d testament to our survival through these wars.
Her beauty has grown a metaphor, a symbol of her life; once held- not known, once lost-  found at last, and again, nonetheless. Perplexing social constructs, reflections and many lens lens, many many lens of essence and abyss.
Beyond reach felt deep but somehow not yet felt at all. Are you following me following her? For you are too. From which lens shall I see and will you see her too? For this moment.
She is struggle seeking peace.

She is without root or generation, without nation or race; she stands alone in pure potential unrealized in her sorrow and her grief.
She is forging onward though there seems no road to be, as if already gone from this  in starkness and surrender to what is coming next; yet forever plodding here, as always here, forever nonetheless.

She is profundity indecently haphazardly and clumsily. She speaks to say she knows not what but that she knows she must. The mirror has a mirror has a mirror dizziness.
She wants to come from deep inside out. She wants a window to her soul that she can open wide. She wants to  set sail away from this frigid harbour,  brutal grounding, to take flight deep into the atmosphere so as to disappear with night.

I look up and down. I see in and out. I see. It is I the kaleidoscope, the many shades of blending, the aches and pains, the joys,  the many mends; the many many splendors-  whispering, wishful longingly, life; it is I, all memory and construct, and this journey resting restless squarely upon her face.  It is me, is She?
One. One. The I in me and she.

I see him glaring staring at me, lost lover of my breast and teeth- despicable, pitiful poverty, and in my eye- I -  shine back at him the wonder and the mystery of what still lives in me, in I, and in She; yes, the She in the mirror I saw smiling warmly and winking back at me. Yes, that Eternal She.

2011/03

c.smith

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the beauty

as seen from the

inspired artist’s eye.

today i want to feel the calm

within the inspired

mind

and today i want

the faith to know

like in the inspired soul.

accreditation required

artist Adam Guan

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This quote has been incorrectly attributed to
Nelson Mandela in his inaugural speech of 1994.
He never spoke these words in his speeches that year.
You can read Nelson’s actual inaugural speeches at these links:
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1994/inaugct.html
http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1994/inaugpta.html

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so
that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.”

^^ Authored and published by Marianne Williamson

Artist Cheryl Smith

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THICH NHAT HANH

Words can travel across thousands of miles.

May my words create mutual understanding and love.

May they be as beautiful as gems, as lovely as flowers.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

“Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, is a teacher, scholar and peace activist who lectures throughout the world and writes on the practices of mindfulness and peaceful living. His dedication to peace and his compassionate understanding of the human condition make him one of the world’s most admired spiritual leaders”

all artwork by 2009 Adam Guan/ Studio Voltaire

“Working in a fashion that fluidly blends Eastern subjects with a Western medium, Adam incorporates elements from the ttraditional Japanese and Chinese painting, and still life with floral works…”

http://www.brushdance.com www.brushdance.com

“The Brush Dance is a Yurak healing ritual where being true to yourself means giving your best to help a person in need. Being true to yourself is the one and only Yurak Indian law”

***************************************************************

february 2011

Breathing in,

I am so happy

to hug my beloved.

Breathing out, I know she is real

and alive in my arms

Thich Nhat Hanh

**************************************************

January 2011

True love is possible

only with understanding.

When there is understanding,

compassion is born

-Thich Nhat Hanh

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