By Grace Durfee on 11/12/2006 3:52 PM

Spirit knows the way to us.  Like water, which will always flow to the lowest point, Spirit knows where we are and can reach the deepest parts of ourselves that need healing, blessing, and reminding of our spiritual nature.  Too often we perceive ourselves as separate—separate from others and separate from Spirit.  This is an illusion.  We have to lift this veil of deception and remove the barriers that prevent Spirit from finding us, filling us, and flowing through us.  Barriers to Spirit break the natural connection to and flow of Spirit.Read More »

By Grace Durfee on 10/26/2006 12:37 PM

The other morning I had a realization while rinsing my cereal bowl at the kitchen sink.  I’d just been considering how often I’ve let my inner critic prevent me from writing.   (There’s certainly a correlation between this and the infrequency of my blog postings!) My critic’s favorite line is, “Who do you think you are?”  Equally effective variations include, “What could you possibly offer?” and “You’re hardly an expert!”  Even though one of my favorite Read More »

By Grace Durfee on 8/2/2006 8:55 AM

Since the Latin root of the word Spirit, spiritus, means breath, it’s only fitting to include breath work in our exploration of spiritual practices.  Breath is considered the outward manifestation of prana, or Chi as referred to by the Chinese, the vital force or energy,  that is everywhere and in everything, including us.   This energy is everywhere, waiting for us to open ourselves and become channels for it. 

 

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By Grace Durfee on 4/4/2006 8:18 PM

Here's a mindfulness exercise that's quite popular with workshop participants and children.  It's adapted from an exercise in Self-Nurture : Learning to Care for Yourself As Effectively As You Care for Everyone Else by Alice Domar and Henry Dreher. 

 

Chose a Hershey’s Kiss or Hug for this mindfulness meditation.< ... Read More »

By Grace Durfee on 3/30/2006 6:13 PM

Heightening the awareness of the senses through mindfulness is a wonderful way to become fully present, anchored in the moment.

 

Begin in a comfortable seated position, either sitting in a chair with legs and arms uncrossed or seated cross-legged on the floor.  You can sit on a pillow if that helps keep your spine easily aligned in an upright position.  You may keep your eyes open, especially if you are reading this and practicing for the first time.  Later on as you become accustomed to the practice you may want to close your e ... Read More »