“There can be no rebirth without a dark night of the soul, a total annihilation of all that you believed in and thought that you were.”

 ~ Hazrat Inayat Khan

this beauty made my day -thank you

Life, Love & Death

Contasts creates creativity.

From vibrant NYC to peaceful Ängsbacka.
For me, it means moving from outside pulsation to inner pulsation.
I can hear my heart a little more clearly in Nature.
Who doesen´t?

Life. Love. Death.

It`s just the beginning.

Let your heart explode.

Ängsbacka

“Nature is the best thing we’ve got.”

Peter Beard

 

my roots at Crete 2013

 

 

You must unlearn what you have learned

Yoda - you are my spiritual Master :)

Our ego’s needs are endless.
We can indulge into the past and our ego will find problems and a need to solve and get rid of them.
But our problems cannot be solved on the level of our minds.
At most they can be understood and accepted on the level of the mind.
But then all we can do is living in the present moment.
Delete the old program and start over.
Every single moment.
The thing that is so important to remember is that beyond your logo, beyond your identity, your tribe, your circle of friends, family and company – is the Essence.
Your own radiant soul.

every moment is a new adventure

Satya

Is it true?
Is it necessary?
Is it kind?

These three short but very powerful questions have been attributed to Socrates, Sufi, Buddha and different people who all believe in enlightenment.

Three very useful reminders when we communicate with others.
And three questions you can ask yourself when you speak about other people and most importantly when you speak about yourself.

I believe that the words we use about ourselves are like written affirmations – they confirm what we believe about ourselves – and give permission to other people to treat us in the way we describe.

Satya – Commitment to Truthfulness
In the Yoga Sutra (Chapter II, verse 30), Patanjali presents to yoga students the concept of satya (truth) 
Read more about the yogic practice of satya (truth) in Yoga Journal here.

Satya means "to speak the truth," yet it is not always desirable to speak the truth on all occasions, for it could harm someone unnecessarily.
We have to consider what we say, how we say it, and in what way it could affect others.
If speaking the truth has negative consequences for another, then it is better to say nothing.

I´m preparing for six days study of  Zen Coaching, which, also includes the teachings of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), developed by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D.
So far it`s been a great support for deepening my practice and understanding of satya on and of the mat.


To speak from satya is to bring out the very best in others and in ourselves.
Both on and off the mat.
When we speak from a place of awareness , we are creating the universe we want to be in for the rest of our lives.

In Love M

Google pic wisdom

contrast create our light

Let`s surf a little bit more on this colourful rainbow...
In my rainbow, the colour black is also represented.
Of course.
I believe that we need the darkness to really embrace and enjoy the light.
Like day and night.
The pearls and the junk.
Like the tides.
Hot and cold.
The sweet and the bitter.
The up`s and down`s
In my experience life becomes quite hollow without that pulsation.
Like this: ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Instead of this: ^^^¨¨^^----^-----^^^^***^^^¨¨¨¨^¨¨¨¨^^----¨^-----^^^*^^^¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨*****
Something like that ;)

Spanda is the idea of all things existing in a rhythmic state of expansion and contracting

 "Spanda is a Sanskrit term for the subtle creative pulse of the universe as it manifests into the dynamism of living form. Spanda can be translated to vibration, movement, or motion.
Spanda is the movement from darkness to light.
It is the energy of creation.
On a more personal level, spanda refers to consciousness as it orients through thought and intention to organize into authentic action.
You may experience spanda as a desire to live according to your own innermost urging, act in line with your interest, follow your curiosity, and attend to your body’s natural rhythms as they harmonize within the grander scale of natural life seasons and cycles"
written by Jamie Stover Schmidt

Spanda is the desire to love and be loved.
Contracting and expanding.
Spanda moves love from the ideal, the fairytale, into action.
When we actively give love, when our heart’s pulses with humility and compassion,
we design the possibility for thriving and for a life that is wild, abundant and rich.

I believe that contrasts create inner light.

In Love M.

family

r e b i r t h

Springtime often reminds me to read a beautiful poem by Karin Boye .
When we start anew it can be both challenging and sweet at the same time.
So much longing. So much to digest and at the same time declutter from both body and mind.
For me this spring is about acceptance. And patience. Self healing.
As if I didn´t know that from before.
Balancing in all areas of my life.
It´s like a very narrow rebirth.
It maybe have some sweet spots I haven´t seen yet.
Like the buds who remain so tight and tense before blossoming.

And then breathe in more space. Letting go.


Here it is, the poem, both in english and in the original swedish translation.

Of course it hurts...

Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking.
Why else would the springtime falter?
Why would all our ardent longing
bind itself in frozen, bitter pallor?
After all, the bud was covered all the winter.
What new thing is it that bursts and wears?
Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking,
hurts for that which grow
and that which bars.

Yes, it is hard when drops are falling.
Trembling with fear, and heavy hanging,
cleaving to the twig, and swelling, sliding -
weight draws them down, though they go on clinging.
Hard to be uncertain, afraid and divided,
hard to feel the depths attract and call,
yet sit fast and merely tremble -
hard to want to stay
and want to fall.

Then, when things are worst and nothing helps
the tree's buds break as in rejoicing,
then, when no fear holds back any longer,
down in glitter go the twig's drops plunging,
forget that they were frightened by the new,
forget their fear before the flight unfurled -
feel for a second their greatest safety,
rest in that trust
that creates the world.


Visst gör det ont när knoppar brister...

Ja visst gör det ont när knoppar brister.
Varför skulle annars våren tveka?
Varför skulle all vår heta längtan
bindas i det frusna bitterbleka?
Höljet var ju knoppen hela vintern.
Vad är det för nytt, som tär och spränger?
Ja visst gör det ont när knoppar brister,
ont för det som växer
och det som stänger.

Ja nog är det svårt när droppar faller.
Skälvande av ängslan tungt de hänger,
klamrar sig vid kvisten, sväller, glider -
tyngden drar dem neråt, hur de klänger.
Svårt att vara oviss, rädd och delad,
svårt att känna djupet dra och kalla,
ändå sitta kvar och bara darra -
svårt att vilja stanna
och vilja falla.

Då, när det är värst och inget hjälper,
Brister som i jubel trädets knoppar.
Då, när ingen rädsla längre håller,
faller i ett glitter kvistens droppar
glömmer att de skrämdes av det nya
glömmer att de ängslades för färden -
känner en sekund sin största trygghet,
vilar i den tillit
som skapar världen.

Begin

April`s here.

Spring can be our second New Year.

Once again a reminder of our intentions.
A chance to make a new vow.
To recharge and renewal.
Remind ourselves what truly is important in life.
To life fully.
Prioritize with care

Our life as it is now reflects the priorities we have chosen so far.

And we can choose anew over and over again.
What a blessing.

new beginnings

Like a Love balloon

So, the theme for this week is coming up here pretty late. I know :)
I´m overwhelmed with getting used to have a young man in my house.
My youngest brother, only 23 years young, lives with me for a while.
I`m learning how to expand and stretch my heart ( and patience) a little bit more.
New routines and schedules.

So, it is late but not a tiny bit less important.
It´s been all about trust and self care the latest weeks.
Establishing trust and inner peace.
Contact.

I think, that if we create a solid foundation of trust, it´s so much easier to enter our own heart.
The Anahata Chakra
Be more loving to ourselves.
Be more loving to our friends, partners, familys and community.
More loving to the Earth.
Make space for more.
It is a practice we have to choose over and over again.

To live from the heart.
Act from the heart.

Be love.
Live love.

One of my students said that she felt like a love ballon after the heart class Monday morning
I couldn`t agree more.

That`s a brilliant metaphor.
A Love Balloon ( ( ( ♥ ) ) )

tulip love

I like Souls Of San Francisco

Lovely eyes and stories - 6 minutes of beautiful connection -watch and listen here: soulsofsanfrancisco
Read more about the project here: look into the eyes....

"Life is made infinitely easier if we see each other as friends exploring the mystery of life together"

www.soulsofsanfrancisco.com

To love at all is to be vulnerable.....

....Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal.
Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change.
It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation.
The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.


 C.S. Lewis The Four Loves:

Butterfly wings in window. Skåne 2012

GoodBye challenging and uncomfortable 2012.....

.......Welcome so much splendid 2013.

In the end of 2011, I proudly wrote this post.
That was all about gratitude for the past years.
Love, challenges and lots of learning.
I was ready for Radical honesty. The complete.
Fearlessly embracing 2012.

2012 - A year with lots of change, growth, honesty, ambivalens, frictions and endless being.
It`s been uncomfortable and annoying.
It`s been a roller-coaster of emotions.
It`s been much needed.

The year where the Earth were supposed to end according to the Maya`s.
It didn`t. The world meets a new Era. Time for compassion. For caring.
For living in truth. We are all together on this planet.
I read an interesting and important article (in Norwegian) about humanity and behavior.
The importance of belonging.
Yes, It is time to reach out our hands. To care about each other.
It`s my misson.
To handle with care.

A couple of memorable moments in 2012:

Zen Coaching Training  at beautiful and warm Ängsbacka.
Moments with clarity, being and amazing meetings.
Celebrate the Moment retreat at Crete.
I´m so grateful for hosting this special
retreat with my soulbrother Surya.
Together we are unbeatable.
I also had some precious days at Crete with a friend of mine.
We had priceless moments of hilarious fun that I never will forget.
My 5 weeks at Bali.
Oh Bali. You are like a big, embracing heart ( ( ( ♥ ) ) )
So many marvelous people crossed my path.
My time in Bali were beautiful, challenging and alive.
A reminder of what`s important.
A reminder of responsibility.
And a wise teacher words;  It is all perfect!

A new home.
New friends. Old friends.
Friends with struggles who are brave beyond words.
My grandpa, my Offa, passed away.
And - Oh Bali I still recover from that bug

Thanks to my closest and loved ones for being there.
You know who you are.
Thanks to all my loyal students for listening. For being brave. For your patience.
You make me wanna grow. And learn. Be humble.

I wish you the blessing of friends and partners who stay with you and support you through both clarity and dust. People who`s got your back.

2012, thanks for holding the space. For the tenderness and loss. For the pain and suffering. For inspiring me to live my life with childlike wonder.

2013, I'm ready. Yes to belonging. Radical acceptance.

I totally surrender.

All you need is faith and trust... and a little bit of pixie dust ♥ ♥ ♥

early morning in Thailand 2008- leaving Ko Ngai

♥ Make space for a new year

Wow.
Almost the end of 2012.

And a beautiful time for reflection and contemplation.

 

What do I wan`t to leave behind?

In myself? Others? The world? 

Let go! Say goodbye with love to the parts you don`t need anymore.

Forgive. Do not hide.

What do I wan`t to celebrate?

In myself? Others? The world?

What am I most proud of? And is it possible to let it grow? 

And how can I bring it with me into the New Year?

What`s next? 

What do I want to manifest and visualize for 2013?

What is my vision? My longing?

Plant a seed in our "second spring" .

Nurture and nourish. See it grow.
 

Let go, Forgive. Celebrate, Believe

 

Be a brave and glowing firefly   ♥

december light last year. 2011

 

 

9 words with meaning

If you have read the book The Help or seen the movie you know that
“You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important” is a memorable line.
 (and yes, it sounds strange with incorrect grammar)

Aibileen, the maid, knows that what we are taught to believe about ourselves affects who we become.
How we shape our mind, our heart, and our soul .
Aibilieen tells Mae over and over again:
“You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important"

She acknowledge that she`s already have a good heart.

She acknowledge that she already are intellligent.
She acknowledge that she has the attitude it takes to move mountains.
That she is precious. From inside out.

So, lets go there.....

Repeat to yourself, tell the lady in the grocery store, the bus driver, the barista...
( you don´t need to say it out loud. Feel it. )


This weeks mantra:

You are kind. You are smart. You are important.

Every step we take in becoming what we are looking for,is a step towards a stronger and more peaceful self ♥

me as bird

Radical responsibility

In the darkest November it´s time to find the fire.
Without burning out the flame.
Finding this beautiful balance we are longing for.
Do your practice.
Find your way to obtain your own strength.
Your Virya ( click and read)
Take responsibility for your practice.
The truth is - we have more power than we ever could imagine.
Be honest. Be brave.
Be bold to yourself and others.
Be compassionate.
Give. Love. Believe.
And let`s recieve.


I love this fable from Ethiopia. It comes in many variations.
Usually much longer than this one I`ll share with you.
It is called:

The lion's whisker.

A woman went to the wizard in her villlage
"My little stepson hates me," she said.
Can you help me to win his love?
The wizard replied :
" Maybe-  but then you must obtain three whiskers from a lion"
"That is impossible!!" the woman said, and went home.
But in the evening she went to the desert with a piece of meat and placed it there. 
Waiting for the lion. Hiding.
The lion came and she saw hpw he ate it and went away again.
Day after day the day she came back with meat, and stayed closer and closer.
Finally, the lion ate from her hand.
One day she put out her hand and picked three golden hairs from its whiskers
Triumphing she smilde and said to the wizard: "Here they are!" 
He took them and dropped them into the fire.
"What are you doing?" the woman screamed.
"For those who are brave enough to get a lion whiskers need no magic" he replied.
"It is in your own power to achieve what you want."


In swedish:

En kvinna gick till byns trollkarl.
”Min lille styvson avskyr mig” sa hon.
Kan du hjälpa mig att vinna hans kärlek?”
Trollkarlen svarade att han kanske kunde, men då måste hon skaffa fram tre morrhår från ett lejon. ”Det är omöjligt” sade kvinnan och gick. Men på kvällen bar hon ut ett köttstycke och lade i öknen. Sen såg hon på avstånd hur ett lejon fann det.
Dag efter dag dag kom hon tillbaka med kött, och stannade allt närmre.
Till sist åt lejonet ur hennes hand. Då ryckte hon loss tre morrhår och gick till trollkarlen.
”Här är de!” jublade hon.
Han tog dem och slängde dem i elden.
”Varför gör du så?” skrek hon.
”För att den som hämtar ett lejons morrhår behöver ingen magi” svarade han.
”Det står i din egen kraft att nå det du vill”.

may way - december 2011 sognsvann oslo

Puppylove

When I’m able to risk messing it up,
And I go for it, giving all I’ve got,
I am being the best I can be,
And no matter what happens,
It’s (I’m) OK by me.


Tom Lescher





balipuppies



Avidya and a tip of an iceberg

In Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 2:5 you can read about Avidya which means spiritual ignorance.
Or ignorance of the truth of what we are.
Avidya is all our belief structures, a deep habit of consciousness.

I read an article by Sally Kempton -
Who do you think you are? (click and read)
where she discusses the yogic concept of avidya. "vidya" means "seeing" or "wisdom" or "knowledge" in Sanskrit;
The prefix "a" indicates a lack or absence.
Avidya then, means lack of wisdom/knowledge, or the inability to see.

Asana (the yoga postures) is a tiny piece of our yoga.
A tip of The Yoga Iceberg
It is easy to crave and indulge in all the brilliant asanas.
Or to reach for that last flexibility. Or believe that I am this or I am that = avidya.
You can´t be good at yoga.
But maybe you can live as a good yogi or yogini. Your way.
When the fact is that´s so much more to explore. To study. To be part of. To feel.
It doesn`t mean we stop practice asana.
But maybe reach a deeper level of our practice.
Our consciousness.
How can we stop clinging?
The body today is not the same as yesterday. Or a year ago.
It is only now.
Maybe we learn from an injury. Or something else.
It´s an ocean down there and it is so darn beautiful.

Asana is one of the pieces in the Yoga Puzzle.
You can build more,

Love and Peace and  S t r a w b e r r i e s

iceberg from google

J U M P

To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. To live fully is to be always in no-man's-land, to experience each moment as completely new and fresh. To live is to be willing to die over and over again

Pema Chödrön - When Things Fall Apart



What story do you hold on to about yourself?

That you are the wolf or the red hood?
That you can or cannot do this or that?
To old? To busy? To smart? To inflexible?
To vulnerable? To strong?

 Anything you think you know binds you.

Go inside. Then go out there. Live your Life as you want to.
And know that the nest is always there. Inside.

birdnest on my balcony in Crete