WHAT IS IN THE WAY, IS OFTEN THE WAY

What is in the way, is often the way; the way through to a truer essence of yourself. Life lessons can often be learned by searching just beneath the surface of an issue that is troubling you. The lesson or true meaning may be hidden deeply from you simply because you have diverted your attention away too long, and your issue is now a mounting frustration. Feelings of frustration move you further away from enlightenment. Your frustration has become your new problem, a veritable detour from the problem and from the truth you are meant to discover. How to find the answers, how to find your way through, and learn something meaningful in the process?
Ask what it is that you are avoiding or not giving your full attention to? Stress and suffering are inevitable, but we have a choice about how we react and relate to them. Avoidance, putting your stressor in parenthesis, and moving on without fully addressing it will only make it a greater stressor for you down the road. One must deal with the stressor by recognizing it first. How to do that?
If you are not sure what you are avoiding, meditation could help reveal the answer to you. Meditation comes in many forms: dancing, playing an instrument, creating a work of art, cooking (creating a work of art), gardening, exercising, reading, etc; essentially any activity that silences or focuses your mind for a period of time providing relaxation is a form of meditation. You will have to find what works best for you. Just know that the end result is what is important, mental calm and relaxation lead one to the answers that have been blocked for so long by mental clutter and chaos. Strive to maintain a quiet and observing presence; stop fueling the mind chatter.

Here is one method of intentional meditation:
Sit in comfortable position, play some soft, soothing music, and focus on your breathing. Start with the exhale, allowing it to relieve your body of tension. Feel the tension in your face release, and then your neck and shoulders, inhaling and exhaling as you go the length of your body from head to toe. When thoughts come into your mind, simply notice them without engaging. Each time your mind wanders, gently guide it back to the very next breath. When you are fully relaxed, invite your wise and loving self to emerge. Allow your thinking mind to settle. Welcome your true essence and take this opportunity to ask, "What problem am I not giving my attention to?"
Allow your true self to bring light and knowledge to you; what shift do you need to make in your life that will result in a meaningful change, that will clear the way for you? Hold this space with reverence and patience. Be patient, the answer will come. That which is revealed to you is a reflection of your true self without the outside world views interfering. This true self is here to guide and support you to a clearer perspective and a healthful, peaceful state of mind.

This exercise, sitting with the true essence of yourself, is always available to you when you find that you're thoughts are blocked or in need of clarification. Do not worry if you have trouble reaching a relaxed state at first; pat yourself on the back for the time you've given to the betterment of your health and try again later. Remember, the more you practice, the quicker and clearer the answers will be made available to you. Meditative practice will provide you with an easily accessible tool of calm simply by thinking of yourself in the meditative state. It may be helpful to associate your meditative state with a symbol, one that relates to your spirit, or a word and calling that symbol or word to mind when a bit of calm is needed in the crux of the day.

Best to you, peace and strong health in the New Year.

Victoria Hart
Photo: http://www.brunosart.com/index.html

THAT WHICH BINDS US; AGAPE

At the trial to indict the man who murdered my sister, we waited in the court room corridor for what seemed like forever, before the trial in the morning, and again after lunch and before the afternoon session. The waiting was difficult and anxiety provoking, waiting to walk into a nightmare time and time again, we had to have courage. My family huddled together and "his" family huddled together, each in our own areas. I felt such overwhelming emotions when I saw "his" mother waiting down the hall from us on that first day; I was overcome. I soon found myself standing before the mother of the man who had murdered my sister. I asked her if she was "his" mother, more in the way of introducing one's self, and she said, "yes, I am." I told her June was my sister and she stood up to meet my eyes. Two hearts aching with loss facing one another, we stood. I told her I was sorry for her and she returned the sentiment. We had both lost people we loved when "he" killed June; I lost my sister and she lost her son. We wrapped our arms around each other and with God's Grace we were enveloped in a moment of Peace.

Just at that moment, the court room doors were flung open for us to enter and sit in our separate areas; me with my family in support of my sister and her with hers in support of her son. I took the stand that day to represent June and her life. She took the stand days later to represent her son and the goodness she knew lived within him. I recall feeling some resentment toward her in that moment, it passed quickly as I realized she guarded the dignity of her life in her testimony, just as I had preserved the dignity of my sister in mine.

The mother and I were brought together in that corridor of life and loss, but separated by the hollow belly serpent shaped by the flawed human form. She and I believed in the same God, our expressions toward one another represented our love and faith in that God. We were united in moments that will never leave my memory; we were united by our common faith and belief system, the belief that we are all imperfect beings, children of God. One lesson was seated deeply within me during that worst experience of my life: we are all vessels full of love from the time of our birth and the humanity we share can remain despite the gravest transgression. We all suffer. We are all imperfect and capable of life altering mistakes. Love is all encompassing. No matter what tragedies or ill treatment life serves up, you can choose to replenish and replace the love lost in those moments. Sadly, her son had not made that choice and carried hate in his heart, hate that attacked my sister and took her life.

At that trial, the trial to put away the man that took my older sister's life, I made a different choice. I chose to give absolution. I chose forgiveness. I chose to fill my body, my heart with love, to replenish my soul with forgiveness for all that was taken from me and is still to this day. I CHOOSE PEACE. I choose to fill my vessel with love, God's love. With my choices, I choose life. A choice my sister was not allowed to make.

--Victoria Hart

Rabindranath Tagore--An Indian Poem

I have beautifully spirited people in my life who I need only think about and soon they appear to me as I make my way through the day; I receive a phone call or I run into them at a local shop. It's sounds a bit of what some may consider psychic, but I really believe we all are so closely connected that just a wish is enough energy to bring someone close. I am also very considerate of the energy I send out into the world and towards people I encounter. I know that my positive vibes make them respond positively and kindly, and my negative vibes reciprocate actions and words that tear down my spirit.
I essentially am in power of all that I receive, good or bad, by choosing the energy that I send out into the world and by also, carefully, choosing the energy I surround myself with: upbeat positively focused conversations, open-hearted compassion, filth of the world-ridden shoes left at the doorstep, refusal of violence on the tele, and love, love, love words tossed about my house like iris scented petals.

This poem by Rabindranath Tagore expresses this sentiment so completely and poetically.




THE SAME STREAM OF LIFE THAT RUNS THROUGH MY VEINS
NIGHT AND DAY RUNS THROUGH THE WORLD AND DANCES IN RHYTHMIC MEASURES.

IT IS THE SAME LIFE THAT SHOOTS IN JOY THROUGH THE DUST OF THE
EARTH IN NUMBERLESS BLADES OF GRASS AND BREAKS INTO TUMULTUOUS
WAVES OF LEAVES AND FLOWERS.

IT IS THE SAME LIFE THAT IS ROCKED IN THE OCEAN-CRADLE OF BIRTH
AND OF DEATH, IN EBB AND IN FLOW.

I FEEL MY LIMBS ARE MADE GLORIOUS BY THE TOUCH OF THIS WORLD
OF LIFE. AND MY PRIDE IS FROM THE LIFE-THROB OF AGES DANCING
IN MY BLOOD THIS MOMENT.

Rabindranath Tagore --Nobel Laureate

--Victoria Hart

RISOTTO WITH PORCINI

Creamy risotto acquires an earthy deep flavor with the addition of dried porcini mushrooms. Once each grain of rice is cooked to the properly tender, but still al dente state, and the cheese is added, your risotto might not be as moist as you like; if it isn’t, add some of the remaining stock. I sometimes add dried cherries, about 1/3 cup at the end to broaden the flavor palette.

1 1/2 cups water
5 1/2 cups chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium broth
1 1//4 ounces (about 1 3/4 cups) dried porcini mushrooms--I like a bit more
2 tablespoonfuls olive oil
1/2 stick (4 tablespoonfuls) butter
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1 tablespoonful chopped rosemary (optional)
2 cups Arborio rice (about 14 ounces)
1 cup finely grated/shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 2 ounces), plus additional for serving
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine water and 1 cup stock in a small saucepan and heat until hot. Put mushrooms and 1 tablespoon oil in a bowl and pour hot liquid over them. Let soak for 30 minutes.
Lift porcini out of soaking liquid, squeeze excess liquid back into bowl, and rinse well to remove any grit. Coarsely chop porcini. Pour soaking liquid through a fine sieve lined with a dampened paper towel into a large saucepan (or carefully skim liquid from top, leaving grit at the bottom of the bowl). Add remaining 4 1/2 cups stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and keep at a light simmer.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter with remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a 4 quart saucepan over moderate heat. Add scallions and rosemary, cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock and cook at a strong simmer, stirring constantly, until stock is absorbed. Continue adding stock, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting each addition be absorbed before adding next, until rice is tender and creamy but still al dente, 18 to 20 minutes (there will be left over stock).
Stir in mushrooms, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, cheese, salt, and pepper. If necessary, thin risotto with some of remaining stock. Serve immediately, with additional cheese.

Note: Use fresh ingredients!
Victoria Hart