diff --git a/frontend/src/data/blog-posts.json b/frontend/src/data/blog-posts.json index 070e9fe..cdc63a7 100644 --- a/frontend/src/data/blog-posts.json +++ b/frontend/src/data/blog-posts.json @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ "title": "Unearthing Creativity, Connection & Freedom", "slug": "unearthing-creativity-connection-amp-freedom", "link": "/blog/2025/5/2/unearthing-creativity-connection-amp-freedom", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2500\"]\" Palimpsest - detail from many layered new accordion book inspired by the river [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
As I write, the sun is shining in a very un-Devon-like way. Its bright and hot, dry and wall to wall blue. Amazing, and 10 degrees C above the norm this time of year. And everything is bursting with flower. Overnight the fertility is explosive. What a creative force that pushes through nature. And we are of course nature too.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “This moment, too, is surrender, this blazing,...
this ecstatic exploding
that always and never arrives.”\n
\n
— Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
\n
\n\n\n
As some of you know, I have been continuing to navigate some pretty stunning challenges. And although by anyone’s standards, this is almost a comical level of difficult and strange. So much so, that it’s just ordinary now. My dear beloved friend mortality is with me all the time and we have become very intimate friends. We are steadfast and connected. And with that the sweetness of life is that much more delicious and juicy. It has tested and matured me in my practice and my offerings. How wonderful to be truly alive and with nothing to change.

I am sure we all have experienced things which start off difficult or even impossible, but they actually end up being highlights and peak experiences of truly being alive and awake.

The surrendering to this moment. The letting-go of remembering to RE-member. The deepening appreciation for what is important and essential. The letting go of oh, so much. And the surrendering again and again like Innanna. Just when you think there is nothing more to give up, there is and you can. Wonder-full.

What are you letting go of in your life? What have you found is surprisingly wonderful, that started off as something difficult or impossible?

So to that end, I am planning some new events; toying at the edges as many have asked, pleaded even, for this. And with weather like this, it’s all possible. Even on a cloudy day in Devon, things appear pretty gorgeous and delightful. So here is where you come in: can I ask whether you be interested in a one day, or weekend course – in my not-quite done but done enough to run-a few very special in-person - workshop art studio? It overlooks Hay Tor and is a 5 min walk from Totnes town. And you, as a VIP, have first pick!

Are you interested? I am envisaging a potential weekend in July or August of this year. So please let me know your thoughts, asap.

More to follow of course, but this is very delightful to be in this garden and orchard haven right in Totnes.

You are very welcome to DM my Instagram @Katheryn_Trenshaw, get in touch via my website contact form HERE or through FB here. Oh and of forward this to any friends you may think may be interested in my content or offerings.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"4608\"]\" Owl feather birthing new creative beginnings in Devon [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
We would love to have your input about your heart’s desire for upcoming events in the UK and globally. Could you please be so kind as to regale us with your thoughts and wishes in this simple Survey. We would be so grateful and you will get a big shiny virtual gold star from our hearts to yours.

Thank you so so much!

Here is the lovely little new SURVEY.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n
and here is more info on course:

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n
How to get involved & connect:

Subscribe to this Blog and occasional newsletter, Share events and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media

To connect with In Your Own Skin project: See the trailer and more info, And maybe Book a course, buy and REVIEW (5*) the In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1 Please support your local bookshop, Donate to the project to keep it going, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

Here is the lovely little new SURVEY. Please share your wishes and Thank you!

And Thank you so so much!

#perspective #simplicity #wellbeing #silence #rest #spacesinbetween #poetry #presence

\n
", + "content": "
\"
Palimpsest - detail from many layered new accordion book inspired by the river
\n \n\n\n\nAs I write, the sun is shining in a very un-Devon-like way. Its bright and hot, dry and wall to wall blue. Amazing, and 10 degrees C above the norm this time of year. And everything is bursting with flower. Overnight the fertility is explosive. What a creative force that pushes through nature. And we are of course nature too. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “This moment, too, is surrender, this blazing,...
this ecstatic exploding
that always and never arrives.”\n
\n
— Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
\n
\n\n\nAs some of you know, I have been continuing to navigate some pretty stunning challenges. And although by anyone’s standards, this is almost a comical level of difficult and strange. So much so, that it’s just ordinary now. My dear beloved friend mortality is with me all the time and we have become very intimate friends. We are steadfast and connected. And with that the sweetness of life is that much more delicious and juicy. It has tested and matured me in my practice and my offerings. How wonderful to be truly alive and with nothing to change.

I am sure we all have experienced things which start off difficult or even impossible, but they actually end up being highlights and peak experiences of truly being alive and awake.

The surrendering to this moment. The letting-go of remembering to RE-member. The deepening appreciation for what is important and essential. The letting go of oh, so much. And the surrendering again and again like Innanna. Just when you think there is nothing more to give up, there is and you can. Wonder-full.

What are you letting go of in your life? What have you found is surprisingly wonderful, that started off as something difficult or impossible?

So to that end, I am planning some new events; toying at the edges as many have asked, pleaded even, for this. And with weather like this, it’s all possible. Even on a cloudy day in Devon, things appear pretty gorgeous and delightful. So here is where you come in: can I ask whether you be interested in a one day, or weekend course – in my not-quite done but done enough to run-a few very special in-person - workshop art studio? It overlooks Hay Tor and is a 5 min walk from Totnes town. And you, as a VIP, have first pick!

Are you interested? I am envisaging a potential weekend in July or August of this year. So please let me know your thoughts, asap.

More to follow of course, but this is very delightful to be in this garden and orchard haven right in Totnes.

You are very welcome to DM my Instagram @Katheryn_Trenshaw, get in touch via my website contact form HERE or through FB here. Oh and of forward this to any friends you may think may be interested in my content or offerings.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Owl feather birthing new creative beginnings in Devon
\n \n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nWe would love to have your input about your heart’s desire for upcoming events in the UK and globally. Could you please be so kind as to regale us with your thoughts and wishes in this simple Survey. We would be so grateful and you will get a big shiny virtual gold star from our hearts to yours.

Thank you so so much!

Here is the lovely little new SURVEY.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\nand here is more info on course:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\nHow to get involved & connect:

Subscribe to this Blog and occasional newsletter, Share events and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media

To connect with In Your Own Skin project: See the trailer and more info, And maybe Book a course, buy and REVIEW (5*) the In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1 Please support your local bookshop, Donate to the project to keep it going, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

Here is the lovely little new SURVEY. Please share your wishes and Thank you!

And Thank you so so much!

#perspective #simplicity #wellbeing #silence #rest #spacesinbetween #poetry #presence

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2500\"] Palimpsest - detail from many layered new accordion book inspired by the river [/caption] As I write, the sun is shining in a very un-Devon-like way....", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/48960985-d180-4c83-b26e-fef36848b418/sketchbook+detail.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ "title": "Come Celebrate being Alive", "slug": "growing-re-enchanted-with-the-world-w5nhw", "link": "/blog/2023/3/15/growing-re-enchanted-with-the-world-w5nhw", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
In Devon England, where I call home, in these green breasty hills, Autumn is glowing. This is partly to do with the unbelievable quantities of rainfall that we have here and just the fact that it’s the end of summer. And with that change, the days grow shorter and more cozy. Perfect for celebrating being alive and the bliss of vitality’s need for change. The trees all change, the Virginia creeper along the side of my home is starting to do its outfit change into passionate ruby red. It’s enchanting. Every time.

And, with this renewal and rebirth, there is something reassuring to my nervous system. This fresh opportunity at trusting life’s new beginnings and endings. A new season. A new chance. Letting go and making room. So it is with all of us. 100% guaranteed to be dying one day, so how to live well while we are alive. For my mother Cynthia, it was capturing the essence of the spaces in between in exquisite poetry.

For me, making a ridiculous labour of love documentary seems to be a big part of the answer to that.

And if you are in the UK, there is also a new chance to see the In Your Own Skin film. Another celebration event, this time in Chagford on Dartmoor.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\n
In Your Own Skin film w/ Q&A Sept 25th at fabulous film fest :

We are beyond delighted to have been asked to be a part of the prestigious Chagford Film Festival. A little place that is mighty and gorgeous right on Dartmoor in one of my favourite places. I will be there to share the film and host a dynamic Q&A. I recently had the chance to offer 3 screenings a week with Q&As at the amazing Rancho La Puerta in Baja and it was met with stunning enthusiastic support. Come and experience what all the buzz was about and how we are all interconnected. What would you share?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We are all Interconnected.”\n
\n \n
\n\n\n
And have you ever noticed how these spectacular wild herbs and flowers grow in the margins, and the in between spaces? Every time it fills me with joy to see them, pushing through the rotten leaves and mulch of winter. There in these ecotones are the greatest variety of species, and the most resilient life forms.

We humans are also a kind of ecotone, reaching between worlds of earth and air. And as we embrace our original natural vitality, we re-member and come home to presence. I believe more and more that our stories live interstitially as well… in the spaces in between. All we have to do is listen. And this listening helps us re-member and come home to true selves.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “In Your Own Skin achieves the seemingly impossible: connecting us all to the world, to each other and to ourselves. This gem of a movie reminds us that our superpower is not in being shiny but in being authentic and vulnerable. I wish everyone in the world could see this film, and you will too.”\n
\n
— Firoozeh Dumas, New York Times Bestselling Author
\n
\n\n\n
This homecoming has less fear, less shame, and more presence. We are following the roots of curiosity and discovery back to the origins of our life passions again and again. Re-membering and growing, our re-enchantment with the world.

When I was preparing to leave England this most recent time knowing it was almost surely the LAST time I would see my mom, I wanted to bring her a gift so I created and painted a WISHES book with pockets to hold “essentialisms” for her. At the end of a life, prayers, wishes, and love are all that matter. I dare say this is also true throughout a life as well because we RARELY know when it will end, but we always know it WILL END. This book was and is an extension of my love for her. So now I extend these wishes and that love to all of you:

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Inside the varied compartments, there are messages like:
Listen to the trees,
Breathe deeply
Talk through the stars
Include it all
Just love
And finally, one I added after the news of her death- Raven carry me home.

A life is extraordinary. The chances of us ever even being born are 1 in 4 trillion - equivalent to throwing a lifesaver off a ship in the middle of the ocean and a turtle poking its head through that same lifesaver. Amazing. And that is completely ordinary. All of us will die. Cynthia, one of the best poets and people, has also died.

Life is very short and sometimes far too long. I’m grateful that Cynthia lived and died on her own terms. Sovereign and queen to the end.

Pulsars die too-but when they do – they become STARS!

I wish all of these things for all of you.

How will you live your wild and precious life? How do you tap into your creativity? What do you love most about the margins and the ecotones?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Come and play and splash around in the margins in Devon. Come and feel that interconnection with a whole bunch of other gorgeous beings at the spectacular Chagford Film Festival and hang out after. Film and Q&A Weds Sept 25 at 11- 12:45. What’s not to love?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"600\"]\" Living Awake Creativity Course Preview video [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
How to connect:

Subscribe to this Blog and occasional newsletter, Share events and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media , See the trailer and more info, And maybe Book a course, buy an In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1 at your local bookshop, Donate to the project to keep it going, Book your seats at the fabulous Chagford Film Festival to avoid disappointment if you are in the UK, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

And Thank you so so much!

*if you can, be a star and order through your local independent book seller

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n
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\n \n
\n\n
\n
Gallery Block
\n \n
\n This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account.\n \n Learn more\n \n
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\n\n\n \n\n\n
\n
\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Pellentesque\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Porta\"\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Etiam\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Pellentesque\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n
\n\n \n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nIn Devon England, where I call home, in these green breasty hills, Autumn is glowing. This is partly to do with the unbelievable quantities of rainfall that we have here and just the fact that it’s the end of summer. And with that change, the days grow shorter and more cozy. Perfect for celebrating being alive and the bliss of vitality’s need for change. The trees all change, the Virginia creeper along the side of my home is starting to do its outfit change into passionate ruby red. It’s enchanting. Every time.

And, with this renewal and rebirth, there is something reassuring to my nervous system. This fresh opportunity at trusting life’s new beginnings and endings. A new season. A new chance. Letting go and making room. So it is with all of us. 100% guaranteed to be dying one day, so how to live well while we are alive. For my mother Cynthia, it was capturing the essence of the spaces in between in exquisite poetry.

For me, making a ridiculous labour of love documentary seems to be a big part of the answer to that.

And if you are in the UK, there is also a new chance to see the In Your Own Skin film. Another celebration event, this time in Chagford on Dartmoor.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\nIn Your Own Skin film w/ Q&A Sept 25th at fabulous film fest :

We are beyond delighted to have been asked to be a part of the prestigious Chagford Film Festival. A little place that is mighty and gorgeous right on Dartmoor in one of my favourite places. I will be there to share the film and host a dynamic Q&A. I recently had the chance to offer 3 screenings a week with Q&As at the amazing Rancho La Puerta in Baja and it was met with stunning enthusiastic support. Come and experience what all the buzz was about and how we are all interconnected. What would you share?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We are all Interconnected.”\n
\n \n
\n\n\nAnd have you ever noticed how these spectacular wild herbs and flowers grow in the margins, and the in between spaces? Every time it fills me with joy to see them, pushing through the rotten leaves and mulch of winter. There in these ecotones are the greatest variety of species, and the most resilient life forms.

We humans are also a kind of ecotone, reaching between worlds of earth and air. And as we embrace our original natural vitality, we re-member and come home to presence. I believe more and more that our stories live interstitially as well… in the spaces in between. All we have to do is listen. And this listening helps us re-member and come home to true selves.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “In Your Own Skin achieves the seemingly impossible: connecting us all to the world, to each other and to ourselves. This gem of a movie reminds us that our superpower is not in being shiny but in being authentic and vulnerable. I wish everyone in the world could see this film, and you will too.”\n
\n
— Firoozeh Dumas, New York Times Bestselling Author
\n
\n\n\nThis homecoming has less fear, less shame, and more presence. We are following the roots of curiosity and discovery back to the origins of our life passions again and again. Re-membering and growing, our re-enchantment with the world.

When I was preparing to leave England this most recent time knowing it was almost surely the LAST time I would see my mom, I wanted to bring her a gift so I created and painted a WISHES book with pockets to hold “essentialisms” for her. At the end of a life, prayers, wishes, and love are all that matter. I dare say this is also true throughout a life as well because we RARELY know when it will end, but we always know it WILL END. This book was and is an extension of my love for her. So now I extend these wishes and that love to all of you:

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nInside the varied compartments, there are messages like:
Listen to the trees,
Breathe deeply
Talk through the stars
Include it all
Just love
And finally, one I added after the news of her death- Raven carry me home.

A life is extraordinary. The chances of us ever even being born are 1 in 4 trillion - equivalent to throwing a lifesaver off a ship in the middle of the ocean and a turtle poking its head through that same lifesaver. Amazing. And that is completely ordinary. All of us will die. Cynthia, one of the best poets and people, has also died.

Life is very short and sometimes far too long. I’m grateful that Cynthia lived and died on her own terms. Sovereign and queen to the end.

Pulsars die too-but when they do – they become STARS!

I wish all of these things for all of you.

How will you live your wild and precious life? How do you tap into your creativity? What do you love most about the margins and the ecotones?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nCome and play and splash around in the margins in Devon. Come and feel that interconnection with a whole bunch of other gorgeous beings at the spectacular Chagford Film Festival and hang out after. Film and Q&A Weds Sept 25 at 11- 12:45. What’s not to love?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Living Awake Creativity Course Preview video
\n \n\n\n\nHow to connect:

Subscribe to this Blog and occasional newsletter, Share events and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media , See the trailer and more info, And maybe Book a course, buy an In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1 at your local bookshop, Donate to the project to keep it going, Book your seats at the fabulous Chagford Film Festival to avoid disappointment if you are in the UK, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

And Thank you so so much!

*if you can, be a star and order through your local independent book seller

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n Gallery Block\n \n \n This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account.\n \n Learn more\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Pellentesque\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Porta\"\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Etiam\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Pellentesque\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\n
", "excerpt": "In Devon England, where I call home, in these green breasty hills, Autumn is glowing. This is partly to do with the unbelievable quantities of rainfall that we have here and just the fact that it’s...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/5849e466-5901-4572-be3d-4b42defae2b1/mom+In+Your+Own+Skin+portrait.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ "title": "Weeds or Wonderful Delicacies", "slug": "qj1xxsvi5eis57y33dqniqwxv2i11r", "link": "/blog/2023/4/18/qj1xxsvi5eis57y33dqniqwxv2i11r", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"320\"]\" Dandelions are superheroes in the garden and on our plates [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
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\n “The parallels between foraging for wild food and the message of the documentary film In Your Own Skin are striking. ”\n
\n
— Katheryn M. Trenshaw
\n
\n\n\n
Foraging for wild food is a magical experience that never ceases to amaze me. It is incredible to think that what were once considered weeds are now treasured delights and delicacies. It's incredible how our perspective can change so drastically over time. Dandelions, for instance, were once seen as a nuisance that needed to be poisoned. It's hard to imagine now, but it was common practice in the past. This kind of plant xenophobia is no longer acceptable, and we have come to appreciate the value of these plants. Dandelions are incredibly nutritious and have many medicinal properties. They are also beautiful, with their bright yellow petals standing out against a green field.

I have personally experienced a transformation in my lifetime from viewing weeds as unwanted plants to seeing them as valuable sources of nourishment and beauty. I now cultivate dandelions for their bitter salad greens and flowers for syrup. I also grow nettles for tea and as a super iron-rich spinach-like vegetable. Later in the season, I collect their seeds to dry and use as a rich soup topping in the winter. Every spring, I freeze wild garlic pesto for the year. These small, sustainable foraging techniques not only provide nourishment but also re-wild our lives, which is so desperately needed. Every small thing we do, like the butterfly effect, can make a huge difference.

The parallels between foraging for wild food and the message of the documentary film In Your Own Skin are striking. We have learned to appreciate the value of dandelions, and we can also learn to appreciate the value of each other's stories and diversity. Weeds are not just annoying plants to be destroyed, but rather a source of nourishment and beauty. Similarly, people with different backgrounds are not to be feared or discriminated against but rather celebrated for their unique qualities.

It's common to feel ashamed or embarrassed about parts of ourselves that we don't consider beautiful or functional enough or perfect enough. In our current cultural climate, there is so much focus on external appearances and hyper achieving behavior along with a narrow definition of beauty. It's crucial to remember that our depth of presence and authenticity are our most radiant qualities. The documentary film In Your Own Skin celebrates the beauty of revealing hidden truths and encourages us to embrace our personal uniqueness, which invariably becomes universal. This, in turn, liberates us all.

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\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Foraging for wild food is a magical experience that never ceases to amaze me.”\n
\n
— Katheryn Trenshaw
\n
\n\n\n
The upcoming screening of In Your Own Skin at the Barn Cinema in Dartington on April 28th promises to be a thought-provoking and uplifting event. In addition to the film screening, there will be a creativity workshop on offer in Totnes with a little bit of foraging in the mix. This will be an opportunity to splash out and explore new ways of seeing and inquiring into creativity and color and even a little bit of the joy of foraging for wild food. It's a great way to connect with your essential nature and appreciate the abundance that surrounds us. [Here is more information for May 6-7 workshop.]

Foraging for wild food and the message of In Your Own Skin have many parallels. We can learn to appreciate the value of things we once considered unwanted and embrace the beauty of diversity. The documentary film reminds us to celebrate our personal uniqueness, which in turn becomes universal and liberates us all. The upcoming event at the Barn Cinema promises to be an enlightening and inspiring experience. I encourage everyone to attend and join the celebration of foraging and the beauty of diversity.

Enjoy a recipe below.

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\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Dandelion syrup has a delicate flavour - a more local and cost effective alternative to maple syrup. Dandelion flowers are at their peak so now is the perfect time to make it.

[Here is a fun little video of the fields of golden dandelions at Dartington Estate in Devon where I foraged]
Totally spoilt for choice.

What is YOUR favorite foraging experience, plant or recipe? Please share the wealth.

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\n UnEarthing Templer Way at Birdwood House
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Teign Contemporary - an artists and poets collaboration. This is the first of a series of art and poetry exhibitions from 2025 - 2026. I will be sharing 4 original works created as a part of this dynamic inspiring project. My particular interest is more in the realm of perspective and micro’ macro ways of seeing from presence and listening in the landscape as part of the wildness in this body.

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\n UNEARTHING TEMPLER WAY EXHIBITION dates tbc
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\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n

Teign Contemporary - an artists and poets collaboration. This is the first of a series of art and poetry exhibitions from 2025 - 2026. I will be sharing 4 original works created as a part of this dynamic inspiring project. My particular interest is more in the realm of perspective and micro’ macro ways of seeing from presence and listening in the landscape as part of the wildness in this body.

\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n
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", + "content": "
\"
Dandelions are superheroes in the garden and on our plates
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “The parallels between foraging for wild food and the message of the documentary film In Your Own Skin are striking. ”\n
\n
— Katheryn M. Trenshaw
\n
\n\n\nForaging for wild food is a magical experience that never ceases to amaze me. It is incredible to think that what were once considered weeds are now treasured delights and delicacies. It's incredible how our perspective can change so drastically over time. Dandelions, for instance, were once seen as a nuisance that needed to be poisoned. It's hard to imagine now, but it was common practice in the past. This kind of plant xenophobia is no longer acceptable, and we have come to appreciate the value of these plants. Dandelions are incredibly nutritious and have many medicinal properties. They are also beautiful, with their bright yellow petals standing out against a green field.

I have personally experienced a transformation in my lifetime from viewing weeds as unwanted plants to seeing them as valuable sources of nourishment and beauty. I now cultivate dandelions for their bitter salad greens and flowers for syrup. I also grow nettles for tea and as a super iron-rich spinach-like vegetable. Later in the season, I collect their seeds to dry and use as a rich soup topping in the winter. Every spring, I freeze wild garlic pesto for the year. These small, sustainable foraging techniques not only provide nourishment but also re-wild our lives, which is so desperately needed. Every small thing we do, like the butterfly effect, can make a huge difference.

The parallels between foraging for wild food and the message of the documentary film In Your Own Skin are striking. We have learned to appreciate the value of dandelions, and we can also learn to appreciate the value of each other's stories and diversity. Weeds are not just annoying plants to be destroyed, but rather a source of nourishment and beauty. Similarly, people with different backgrounds are not to be feared or discriminated against but rather celebrated for their unique qualities.

It's common to feel ashamed or embarrassed about parts of ourselves that we don't consider beautiful or functional enough or perfect enough. In our current cultural climate, there is so much focus on external appearances and hyper achieving behavior along with a narrow definition of beauty. It's crucial to remember that our depth of presence and authenticity are our most radiant qualities. The documentary film In Your Own Skin celebrates the beauty of revealing hidden truths and encourages us to embrace our personal uniqueness, which invariably becomes universal. This, in turn, liberates us all.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Foraging for wild food is a magical experience that never ceases to amaze me.”\n
\n
— Katheryn Trenshaw
\n
\n\n\nThe upcoming screening of In Your Own Skin at the Barn Cinema in Dartington on April 28th promises to be a thought-provoking and uplifting event. In addition to the film screening, there will be a creativity workshop on offer in Totnes with a little bit of foraging in the mix. This will be an opportunity to splash out and explore new ways of seeing and inquiring into creativity and color and even a little bit of the joy of foraging for wild food. It's a great way to connect with your essential nature and appreciate the abundance that surrounds us. [Here is more information for May 6-7 workshop.]

Foraging for wild food and the message of In Your Own Skin have many parallels. We can learn to appreciate the value of things we once considered unwanted and embrace the beauty of diversity. The documentary film reminds us to celebrate our personal uniqueness, which in turn becomes universal and liberates us all. The upcoming event at the Barn Cinema promises to be an enlightening and inspiring experience. I encourage everyone to attend and join the celebration of foraging and the beauty of diversity.

Enjoy a recipe below.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nDandelion syrup has a delicate flavour - a more local and cost effective alternative to maple syrup. Dandelion flowers are at their peak so now is the perfect time to make it.

[Here is a fun little video of the fields of golden dandelions at Dartington Estate in Devon where I foraged]
Totally spoilt for choice.

What is YOUR favorite foraging experience, plant or recipe? Please share the wealth.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n
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\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \"In\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n Feb\n 16\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n In Your Own Skin Screening with Q&A date and time tbc\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \"UnEarthing\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n Apr\n 4\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n UnEarthing Templer Way at Birdwood House\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n

Teign Contemporary - an artists and poets collaboration. This is the first of a series of art and poetry exhibitions from 2025 - 2026. I will be sharing 4 original works created as a part of this dynamic inspiring project. My particular interest is more in the realm of perspective and micro’ macro ways of seeing from presence and listening in the landscape as part of the wildness in this body.

\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \"UNEARTHING\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n Apr\n 16\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n UNEARTHING TEMPLER WAY EXHIBITION dates tbc\n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\t\n\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n

Teign Contemporary - an artists and poets collaboration. This is the first of a series of art and poetry exhibitions from 2025 - 2026. I will be sharing 4 original works created as a part of this dynamic inspiring project. My particular interest is more in the realm of perspective and micro’ macro ways of seeing from presence and listening in the landscape as part of the wildness in this body.

\n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n\t\n\t\n\t", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"320\"] Dandelions are superheroes in the garden and on our plates [/caption] “ The parallels between foraging for wild food and the message of the documentary...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/2f7aa5f6-6e88-471c-9daa-6000fe93635f/IMG_4959.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ "title": "WHOLING: Healing vs. Curing", "slug": "wholing-healing-vs-curing", "link": "/blog/2023/4/18/wholing-healing-vs-curing", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"320\"]\" We are a WE Kaleidescope [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
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\n “We have to help heal each other’s pain.”\n
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— Dr Vivek Murty
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We are a WE. Yes, there is an ‘I’ and a ‘you’ and ‘me’. But importantly also a WE. And as this WE, what is our responsibility to each other? We live in a world where we are increasingly pulled away from realising that we and everyone/everything is connected.

For me, having lived through an incredibly complicated and rare cancer has definitely taught me a lot… more than I ever could have guessed. And certainly more than I wanted in some ways too. I never, for instance, really wanted what became a kind of Masters thesis-worth of knowledge about breast cancer, its treatments, statistics, side-effects and complications. But hey, wisdom, hard won all the same.

So, more now than ever, I am passionate about the distinction between healing and curing a person. One can be very healed and whole and still dying. One could also be cured of something, but not healed per se.

In fact, one could argue without anyone actually being able to prove otherwise, that we are all indeed going to die. And, therefore, it becomes pretty essential how we live and how we spend our 4000 weeks or so on this earthly plane.

Since ‘being ill’ with the whole cancer malarkey thing, my life and my interests are curated and honed increasingly on what is essential, and therefore wholing/healing – for me, for you, for all of us. It’s actually very simple. But not necessarily easy.

This is the stuff of facing difficulty; of facing discomfort directly – and not shrinking back. This is daring to live with eyes wide open, creating work and spaces to illuminate the dark and broken places in all their magnificence. It is about celebrating our lives, well lived even as they are fading fast.

I know I have wasted too much of my life already: trying to look good, trying to not need to ask for help, trying to get it right, perfect or beautiful…

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\n “Where the wound of love bleeds & never heals… I wait for you there.”\n
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— Adi Da
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So here’s to the perfectly imperfect in all of us, with all our squirmy, resisted, awkward, shameful, undesirable, embarrassed, difficult parts included… And the broken, open hearts and bodies, including the scarred and stitched back together bits.

And here, too, is to the stranger we will never meet who actually did the stitching up; to the stranger who lifted you up again after a fall off your bike; or who gave you a hard whack on the back on the train to keep you from choking.

When I traveled around the world, interviewing people for the In Your Own Skin project and listened deeply to them, without judgement, often, if not always, what people revealed most was what they loved. Here’s to all of us. We are a great whole WE.

Real strength is the ability to give and receive love. To open and be opened. Wholing and healing ourselves as we integrate the disowned parts one-by-one into being.

Blessings on your healing WHOLING life journey.

—————

What helps you find ground again when you feel lost?

What makes you most whole?

What is our responsibility to each other?

What are the values that guide us in our work and lives?

Speaking of we:

If you are in the UK, Be sure to book if you want to come and enjoy an evening connected in a great WE of gorgeous beings with drinks, poetry, surprise film short and the fab feature IN YOUR OWN SKIN film plus Q&A Friday 28th April at The Barn Cinema in Dartington. If you want us to come to your part of the world, please get in touch.

Here is an Interview with the rather gorgeous Ali Donkin, Dartington’s Film Programmer https://youtu.be/5eKKYhG8CXU

#perspective #simplicity #wellbeing #silence #rest #spacesinbetween #poetry #presence

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
", + "content": "
\"
We are a WE Kaleidescope
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We have to help heal each other’s pain.”\n
\n
— Dr Vivek Murty
\n
\n\n\nWe are a WE. Yes, there is an ‘I’ and a ‘you’ and ‘me’. But importantly also a WE. And as this WE, what is our responsibility to each other? We live in a world where we are increasingly pulled away from realising that we and everyone/everything is connected.

For me, having lived through an incredibly complicated and rare cancer has definitely taught me a lot… more than I ever could have guessed. And certainly more than I wanted in some ways too. I never, for instance, really wanted what became a kind of Masters thesis-worth of knowledge about breast cancer, its treatments, statistics, side-effects and complications. But hey, wisdom, hard won all the same.

So, more now than ever, I am passionate about the distinction between healing and curing a person. One can be very healed and whole and still dying. One could also be cured of something, but not healed per se.

In fact, one could argue without anyone actually being able to prove otherwise, that we are all indeed going to die. And, therefore, it becomes pretty essential how we live and how we spend our 4000 weeks or so on this earthly plane.

Since ‘being ill’ with the whole cancer malarkey thing, my life and my interests are curated and honed increasingly on what is essential, and therefore wholing/healing – for me, for you, for all of us. It’s actually very simple. But not necessarily easy.

This is the stuff of facing difficulty; of facing discomfort directly – and not shrinking back. This is daring to live with eyes wide open, creating work and spaces to illuminate the dark and broken places in all their magnificence. It is about celebrating our lives, well lived even as they are fading fast.

I know I have wasted too much of my life already: trying to look good, trying to not need to ask for help, trying to get it right, perfect or beautiful…

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Where the wound of love bleeds & never heals… I wait for you there.”\n
\n
— Adi Da
\n
\n\n\nSo here’s to the perfectly imperfect in all of us, with all our squirmy, resisted, awkward, shameful, undesirable, embarrassed, difficult parts included… And the broken, open hearts and bodies, including the scarred and stitched back together bits.

And here, too, is to the stranger we will never meet who actually did the stitching up; to the stranger who lifted you up again after a fall off your bike; or who gave you a hard whack on the back on the train to keep you from choking.

When I traveled around the world, interviewing people for the In Your Own Skin project and listened deeply to them, without judgement, often, if not always, what people revealed most was what they loved. Here’s to all of us. We are a great whole WE.

Real strength is the ability to give and receive love. To open and be opened. Wholing and healing ourselves as we integrate the disowned parts one-by-one into being.

Blessings on your healing WHOLING life journey.

—————

What helps you find ground again when you feel lost?

What makes you most whole?

What is our responsibility to each other?

What are the values that guide us in our work and lives?

Speaking of we:

If you are in the UK, Be sure to book if you want to come and enjoy an evening connected in a great WE of gorgeous beings with drinks, poetry, surprise film short and the fab feature IN YOUR OWN SKIN film plus Q&A Friday 28th April at The Barn Cinema in Dartington. If you want us to come to your part of the world, please get in touch.

Here is an Interview with the rather gorgeous Ali Donkin, Dartington’s Film Programmer https://youtu.be/5eKKYhG8CXU

#perspective #simplicity #wellbeing #silence #rest #spacesinbetween #poetry #presence

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"320\"] We are a WE Kaleidescope [/caption] “ We have to help heal each other’s pain. ” — Dr Vivek Murty We are a WE. Yes, there is an ‘I’ and a ‘you’ and...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/4b54b602-efa3-4b34-aaef-d910bbb10a4f/IMG_7283.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ "title": "Growing Re-enchanted with the World", "slug": "growing-re-enchanted-with-the-world", "link": "/blog/2023/3/15/growing-re-enchanted-with-the-world", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
In Devon England, where I call home, in these green breasty hills, Spring is glowing. This is partly to do with the unbelievable quantities of rainfall that we have here and just the fact that it’s April. Every Spring, the wild garlic miraculously and magically creates a carpet and the snowdrops and primroses emerge. The magnolia trees then burst into colorful displays like fireworks. I am in awe. It’s enchanting. Every time.

And, with this renewal and rebirth, there is something reassuring to my nervous system. This fresh opportunity at trusting life’s new beginnings. A new season. A new chance.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We are all Interconnected.”\n
\n \n
\n\n\n
And have you ever noticed how these spectacular wild herbs and flowers grow in the margins, and the in between spaces? Every time it fills me with joy to see them, pushing through the rotten leaves and mulch of winter. There in these ecotones are the greatest variety of species, and the most resilient life forms.

We humans are also a kind of ecotone, reaching between worlds of earth and air. And as we embrace our original natural vitality, we re-member and come home to presence. I believe more and more that our stories live interstitially as well… in the spaces in between. All we have to do is listen. And this listening helps us re-member and come home to true selves.

This homecoming has less fear and less shame and more presence. Following the roots of curiosity and discovery back to the origins of our life passions again and again. Re- membering and growing, our re-enchantment with the world.

How do you tap into your creativity? What do you love Most about the margins and the ecotones?

Come and play and splash around in the margins in Devon. Come and feel that interconnection with a whole bunch of other gorgeous beings on the spectacular DARTINGTON Estate at the film Premiere in The Barn Cinema. Drinks and hanging out from 7pm, then the film with a bonus featurette and Q&A. What’s not to love?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"600\"]\" Living Awake Creativity Course Preview video [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
How to connect:

Subscribe to this Blog and occasional newsletter, Share events and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media , Book a course, buy an In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1, Donate to the project to keep it going, Book your seats at the fabulous Barn Cinema if you are in the UK, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

And Thank you so so much!

*if you can, be a star and order through your local independent book seller

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n
\n\n
\n \n
\n\n
\n
Gallery Block
\n \n
\n This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account.\n \n Learn more\n \n
\n \n
\n\n
\n\n\n \n\n\n
\n
\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Etiam\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Pellentesque\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Porta\"\n \n \n
\n
\n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"Etiam\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n
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\n
\n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n
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\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nIn Devon England, where I call home, in these green breasty hills, Spring is glowing. This is partly to do with the unbelievable quantities of rainfall that we have here and just the fact that it’s April. Every Spring, the wild garlic miraculously and magically creates a carpet and the snowdrops and primroses emerge. The magnolia trees then burst into colorful displays like fireworks. I am in awe. It’s enchanting. Every time.

And, with this renewal and rebirth, there is something reassuring to my nervous system. This fresh opportunity at trusting life’s new beginnings. A new season. A new chance.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We are all Interconnected.”\n
\n \n
\n\n\nAnd have you ever noticed how these spectacular wild herbs and flowers grow in the margins, and the in between spaces? Every time it fills me with joy to see them, pushing through the rotten leaves and mulch of winter. There in these ecotones are the greatest variety of species, and the most resilient life forms.

We humans are also a kind of ecotone, reaching between worlds of earth and air. And as we embrace our original natural vitality, we re-member and come home to presence. I believe more and more that our stories live interstitially as well… in the spaces in between. All we have to do is listen. And this listening helps us re-member and come home to true selves.

This homecoming has less fear and less shame and more presence. Following the roots of curiosity and discovery back to the origins of our life passions again and again. Re- membering and growing, our re-enchantment with the world.

How do you tap into your creativity? What do you love Most about the margins and the ecotones?

Come and play and splash around in the margins in Devon. Come and feel that interconnection with a whole bunch of other gorgeous beings on the spectacular DARTINGTON Estate at the film Premiere in The Barn Cinema. Drinks and hanging out from 7pm, then the film with a bonus featurette and Q&A. What’s not to love?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Living Awake Creativity Course Preview video
\n \n\n\n\nHow to connect:

Subscribe to this Blog and occasional newsletter, Share events and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media , Book a course, buy an In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1, Donate to the project to keep it going, Book your seats at the fabulous Barn Cinema if you are in the UK, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

And Thank you so so much!

*if you can, be a star and order through your local independent book seller

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n Gallery Block\n \n \n This is an example. To display your Instagram posts, double-click here to add an account or select an existing connected account.\n \n Learn more\n \n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Etiam\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Pellentesque\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Porta\"\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Etiam\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Vulputate\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Elit\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Aenean\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"Cursus\n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
", "excerpt": "In Devon England, where I call home, in these green breasty hills, Spring is glowing. This is partly to do with the unbelievable quantities of rainfall that we have here and just the fact that it’s...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/3d3c7d20-9585-4c17-bc20-494b28c7e96f/Japanes+Garden+Dartington.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ "title": "Wandering into this Vast Panoply of Becoming", "slug": "listening-for-wander", "link": "/blog/2023/3/10/listening-for-wander", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"4032\"]\" Larger than life and radiant Moa from Sweden - “incapacitating Depression” from In Your Own Skin Portrait Banner hanging at Dartington Gallery 8 March - April 16 2023 . Behind the Scenes with Moa video here. [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Having abandoned the flimsy fantasy of certainty, I decided to wander.”\n
\n
— Kameela Janan Rasheed
\n
\n\n\n
Life is change. All the time. Guaranteed. So how strange we tend to hold on so tightly to attachments in our culture, wanting things to be certain.

To loosen that grip, and also increase well-being, it helps to practice. And one of the big practice fields for me for years has been the approaching of total strangers to invite them to take part in the In Your Own Skin project. Inspired by the work of social worker Brené Brown, along with neurobiologists and other researchers, who discovered that if you want to look at happiness you need to look at shame, I set off out into the world, armed with body paints and video and still cameras to record people discussing their hidden truths.
I had set up appointments with some people I particularly wanted to include, but most of them were complete strangers who I just walked up to and asked. Literally, people in the street.

After lengthy and often very deep and moving conversations, I agreed with them a word or phrase that represented their hidden truth and painted it onto their skin. I then photographed them to create the portraits that feature in the project.

A single story tells many stories.

During the process, I connected deeply with over 200 people from more than 30 countries and all walks of life, and each of these powerful moments released a generous contribution to the world; a buoyant reminder of living fully and the beauty and strength that comes from facing and embracing our vulnerability.

And, speaking what is invisible points us toward something essential: Interconnecting us all. We are a living paradox and the sooner we learn to dance with this, the sooner we can live more fully alive.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “There is some strange intimacy between grief and aliveness, some sacred exchange between what seems unbearable and what is most exquisitely alive.”\n
\n
— Francis Weller
\n
\n\n\n
The project is made up of hundreds of individual images but they are all part of one giant human poem - all unique, but all part of the same poem forest. In the 1950s, it was discovered that a variety of Aspen tree, the Pando, while it looks like tens of thousands of trunks and crowns, is actually one living organism - they all have the exactly the same DNA. So while we see them as many, they are actually one. Just like us.

The In Your Own Skin production process, by its very nature, also helped me to abandon the fantasy of certainty. I never knew how people would react or respond, or what they would share if they chose to be part of this mad and wonderful process. There were, of course, many mishaps. People disappeared, or did not show. Equipment packed up. Technology let us down. Hard drives crashed. Data was lost. So much… And yeah, that too was part of the wonder and the adventure.

This, then, is the antidote to the fantasy of certainty and the ‘resilience strengthening’ of that Wanderer part of us.

More info and to book film here.

The wandering nerve

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And speaking of wandering, I cannot resist adding a note here, a cheerleading cry even, for the vagus nerve.

But why are you wandering off into a neurobiology tangent, you might ask? Well, because I love the vagus nerve. And ‘vagus’ comes from the Latin term for wandering because it extends and wanders through the brain and down through the whole of the body.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"373\"]\" Vegus nerve. Wandering nerve. [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
The vegas nerve is a fabulous wonder that is key to our health and well-being. It carries an extensive range of signals from the digestive system and organs to the brain and vice-versa. It is the tenth cranial nerve, extending from its origin in the brainstem through the neck and the thorax down to the abdomen, and controls involuntary body functions such as your digestion, heart rate and immune system.

Things that make your vagus nerve happy include dancing, walking near the sea, listening to a river or experiencing the smell of a forest. And perhaps most important of all is to cultivate curiosity and openness to awe.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2048\"]\" Wandering Vegus Health bunting art by Katheryn M. Trenshaw [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n

Small and sticky

Things small. Things simple. Things sticky.

As in: things you can love to do regularly and often because you love them. Anything we can wander into with awareness, no matter how small, helps our well-being. For example, wander for five minutes down to the stream and just be. Or dance to a single track of music in the living room. Or smell the Earth and blossom in your garden. How does this feel?

\n
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\n
\n “Risk and Reward
Feeling deeply is dangerous.
Doing anything else is tragic.”\n
\n
— Jarod K. Anderson
\n
\n\n\n
Art as wandering

This brings us neatly, or untidily, to the doodle. Just let the pencil wander and make marks and see what comes. Creative writing and journalling and visual journalling are also both powerful ways to practice this.

You can come and find out more about this in the Spring on my courses. I’m offering a limited number of places in person, and in the not-too-distant future online places as well for those of you further afield. Please DM me if you are interested or would like to be put onto the waiting list.

And please let me know, in this vast panoply of becoming, what is your favourite form of wander?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We are part of this universe. We are in this universe. But perhaps more importantly, then both of these facts is that the universe is in us… My atoms come from the stars. There is a level of connectivity. That’s really what you want in life. You want to feel connected. You want to feel relevant. You want to feel participant. Just by being alive.”\n
\n
— Dr Neil Degrasse Tyson, astrophysicist
\n
\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1874\"]\" Living Awake Creativity Course Preview video [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n


\n
", + "content": "
\"
Larger than life and radiant Moa from Sweden - “incapacitating Depression” from In Your Own Skin Portrait Banner hanging at Dartington Gallery 8 March - April 16 2023 . Behind the Scenes with Moa video here.
\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Having abandoned the flimsy fantasy of certainty, I decided to wander.”\n
\n
— Kameela Janan Rasheed
\n
\n\n\nLife is change. All the time. Guaranteed. So how strange we tend to hold on so tightly to attachments in our culture, wanting things to be certain.

To loosen that grip, and also increase well-being, it helps to practice. And one of the big practice fields for me for years has been the approaching of total strangers to invite them to take part in the In Your Own Skin project. Inspired by the work of social worker Brené Brown, along with neurobiologists and other researchers, who discovered that if you want to look at happiness you need to look at shame, I set off out into the world, armed with body paints and video and still cameras to record people discussing their hidden truths.
I had set up appointments with some people I particularly wanted to include, but most of them were complete strangers who I just walked up to and asked. Literally, people in the street.

After lengthy and often very deep and moving conversations, I agreed with them a word or phrase that represented their hidden truth and painted it onto their skin. I then photographed them to create the portraits that feature in the project.

A single story tells many stories.

During the process, I connected deeply with over 200 people from more than 30 countries and all walks of life, and each of these powerful moments released a generous contribution to the world; a buoyant reminder of living fully and the beauty and strength that comes from facing and embracing our vulnerability.

And, speaking what is invisible points us toward something essential: Interconnecting us all. We are a living paradox and the sooner we learn to dance with this, the sooner we can live more fully alive.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “There is some strange intimacy between grief and aliveness, some sacred exchange between what seems unbearable and what is most exquisitely alive.”\n
\n
— Francis Weller
\n
\n\n\nThe project is made up of hundreds of individual images but they are all part of one giant human poem - all unique, but all part of the same poem forest. In the 1950s, it was discovered that a variety of Aspen tree, the Pando, while it looks like tens of thousands of trunks and crowns, is actually one living organism - they all have the exactly the same DNA. So while we see them as many, they are actually one. Just like us.

The In Your Own Skin production process, by its very nature, also helped me to abandon the fantasy of certainty. I never knew how people would react or respond, or what they would share if they chose to be part of this mad and wonderful process. There were, of course, many mishaps. People disappeared, or did not show. Equipment packed up. Technology let us down. Hard drives crashed. Data was lost. So much… And yeah, that too was part of the wonder and the adventure.

This, then, is the antidote to the fantasy of certainty and the ‘resilience strengthening’ of that Wanderer part of us.

More info and to book film here.

The wandering nerve

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nAnd speaking of wandering, I cannot resist adding a note here, a cheerleading cry even, for the vagus nerve.

But why are you wandering off into a neurobiology tangent, you might ask? Well, because I love the vagus nerve. And ‘vagus’ comes from the Latin term for wandering because it extends and wanders through the brain and down through the whole of the body.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Vegus nerve. Wandering nerve.
\n \n\n\n\nThe vegas nerve is a fabulous wonder that is key to our health and well-being. It carries an extensive range of signals from the digestive system and organs to the brain and vice-versa. It is the tenth cranial nerve, extending from its origin in the brainstem through the neck and the thorax down to the abdomen, and controls involuntary body functions such as your digestion, heart rate and immune system.

Things that make your vagus nerve happy include dancing, walking near the sea, listening to a river or experiencing the smell of a forest. And perhaps most important of all is to cultivate curiosity and openness to awe.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Wandering Vegus Health bunting art by Katheryn M. Trenshaw
\n \n\n\n\n
Small and sticky

Things small. Things simple. Things sticky.

As in: things you can love to do regularly and often because you love them. Anything we can wander into with awareness, no matter how small, helps our well-being. For example, wander for five minutes down to the stream and just be. Or dance to a single track of music in the living room. Or smell the Earth and blossom in your garden. How does this feel?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Risk and Reward
Feeling deeply is dangerous.
Doing anything else is tragic.”\n
\n
— Jarod K. Anderson
\n
\n\n\nArt as wandering

This brings us neatly, or untidily, to the doodle. Just let the pencil wander and make marks and see what comes. Creative writing and journalling and visual journalling are also both powerful ways to practice this.

You can come and find out more about this in the Spring on my courses. I’m offering a limited number of places in person, and in the not-too-distant future online places as well for those of you further afield. Please DM me if you are interested or would like to be put onto the waiting list.

And please let me know, in this vast panoply of becoming, what is your favourite form of wander?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “We are part of this universe. We are in this universe. But perhaps more importantly, then both of these facts is that the universe is in us… My atoms come from the stars. There is a level of connectivity. That’s really what you want in life. You want to feel connected. You want to feel relevant. You want to feel participant. Just by being alive.”\n
\n
— Dr Neil Degrasse Tyson, astrophysicist
\n
\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Living Awake Creativity Course Preview video
\n \n\n\n\n
", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"4032\"] Larger than life and radiant Moa from Sweden - “incapacitating Depression” from In Your Own Skin Portrait Banner hanging at Dartington Gallery 8 March -...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/6b813c9c-82ce-4c9c-ac1e-1e062848b6bb/MOA+from+Sweden%27s+portrait+incapacitating+Depression+from+In+Your+Own+Skin+Banner+hanging+at+Dartington+www.inyourownskin.org+jpeg.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ "title": "Listening for Wonder", "slug": "listening-for-wonder", "link": "/blog/2022/11/25/listening-for-wonder", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Increasingly I am enjoying being a bit bolder and more true in my life. Not in an, “I’ve got something to prove” kind of way. More the opposite. More tender and true. More vulnerable and connected. More honest. More presence.

I was recently asked about my biography, which is increasingly funny to me, though I understand completely why this person asked. They wanted to know more and knew nothing of my 35-plus years worth of work. And I answered with a perfectly good answer: “I am a trauma-informed somatic-based art therapist and artist.” It is true and accurate. But it bothered me. So I mulled it over and realised that what I wish I had also said was the more poetic, and perhaps more accurate, answer: “I listen for wonder.”

And it is true. I look for the wonder and beauty where we are told there is none, like in the worn-from-years-of-use spilled and “spoiled” paint splotch on a bathroom floor (see background to the quote on beauty above) that makes the most marvellous texture. Where can we find beauty? Everywhere if we are looking from and for curiosity and wonder.

Apparently, the Irish word for curiosity translates* into three words: ‘Watch with wonder’. I love this. It sums it up so perfectly. And curiosity is much needed at this time, perhaps like never before. Curiosity connects us and reminds us of our already connected and whole nature. Curiosity and wonder are healthy and promote well-being.

I also feel strongly that finitude, gratitude and the fundamental uncertainty of being alive increase our capacity to watch and see and listen with wonder. And if all that is not a definition of well-being, I do not know what is.

*from Pádraig Ó Tuama (host of the fabulous Poetry Unbound)

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\n
And speaking of beauty, It’s been fascinating to me just how much new thinking has come up around the In Your Own Skin film since the premiere party and screening. Part of this is down to the anticipated becoming actual - I hoped it would reach people in a way that the screening has proved it does.

But I was especially struck by the fact that the more personal and specific we are when we reveal our inner stories, the more relatable it is to more people. Vulnerable, soft, personal truths from depth of presence. So touching.

Similar to Kintsugi pots and Wabi-Sabi living, there is so much more beauty in the ‘imperfect’, asymmetric, the real, the authentic and the wild. Where is the ‘broken’ or ‘scarred’ in our lives that are actually very beautiful?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Happy Thanksgiving if you clebrate it and thank you. Thank you for joining me on this journey and for each and every bit of the beauty that you are - already and always.

PS My 2 color lithograph, She Carries Her Moon Always, is featured in the exquisite 2023 Wemoon Diary. Its is also the subject of this Blog on radiance She Carries Her Moon Always .

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nIncreasingly I am enjoying being a bit bolder and more true in my life. Not in an, “I’ve got something to prove” kind of way. More the opposite. More tender and true. More vulnerable and connected. More honest. More presence.

I was recently asked about my biography, which is increasingly funny to me, though I understand completely why this person asked. They wanted to know more and knew nothing of my 35-plus years worth of work. And I answered with a perfectly good answer: “I am a trauma-informed somatic-based art therapist and artist.” It is true and accurate. But it bothered me. So I mulled it over and realised that what I wish I had also said was the more poetic, and perhaps more accurate, answer: “I listen for wonder.”

And it is true. I look for the wonder and beauty where we are told there is none, like in the worn-from-years-of-use spilled and “spoiled” paint splotch on a bathroom floor (see background to the quote on beauty above) that makes the most marvellous texture. Where can we find beauty? Everywhere if we are looking from and for curiosity and wonder.

Apparently, the Irish word for curiosity translates* into three words: ‘Watch with wonder’. I love this. It sums it up so perfectly. And curiosity is much needed at this time, perhaps like never before. Curiosity connects us and reminds us of our already connected and whole nature. Curiosity and wonder are healthy and promote well-being.

I also feel strongly that finitude, gratitude and the fundamental uncertainty of being alive increase our capacity to watch and see and listen with wonder. And if all that is not a definition of well-being, I do not know what is.

*from Pádraig Ó Tuama (host of the fabulous Poetry Unbound)

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\nAnd speaking of beauty, It’s been fascinating to me just how much new thinking has come up around the In Your Own Skin film since the premiere party and screening. Part of this is down to the anticipated becoming actual - I hoped it would reach people in a way that the screening has proved it does.

But I was especially struck by the fact that the more personal and specific we are when we reveal our inner stories, the more relatable it is to more people. Vulnerable, soft, personal truths from depth of presence. So touching.

Similar to Kintsugi pots and Wabi-Sabi living, there is so much more beauty in the ‘imperfect’, asymmetric, the real, the authentic and the wild. Where is the ‘broken’ or ‘scarred’ in our lives that are actually very beautiful?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nHappy Thanksgiving if you clebrate it and thank you. Thank you for joining me on this journey and for each and every bit of the beauty that you are - already and always.

PS My 2 color lithograph, She Carries Her Moon Always, is featured in the exquisite 2023 Wemoon Diary. Its is also the subject of this Blog on radiance She Carries Her Moon Always .

", "excerpt": "Increasingly I am enjoying being a bit bolder and more true in my life. Not in an, “I’ve got something to prove” kind of way. More the opposite. More tender and true. More vulnerable and connected....", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/2a12a3bc-4983-4dd6-8a2d-5aca395c9cbf/Katheryn+beauty+quote+on+photo+texture.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ "title": "Longest pregnancy ever", "slug": "longest-pregnancy-ever", "link": "/blog/2022/9/23/longest-pregnancy-ever", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2500\"]\" Katheryn with giant In Your Own Skin portrait banner of the very gorgeous very pregnant Samantha from India [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
Here we are and it is Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of reflection, integration and most of all balance. Goodness knows we are all much more aware of the need for balance. And simplicity. And Essentialism. And we can all definitely use more comfort with discomfort.

So with that in mind, I offer up a contribution to all of these things and more. Connection with care, embracing the unity of diversity, the perfection of imperfection and the wonder of being a human being and being here for however long. I give you…drum roll…. the birth of In Your Own Skin documentary at long last.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"3840\"]\" In Your Own Skin film is born! [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
And this has been the longest pregnancy ever… 10 years in fact. Well, you could say 8 years of pregnancy plus a pregnant pandemic pause of 2 more years to wait to host live events. When I was ill and became much more clear about what is essential, it was very clear that THIS FILM would be one of my top priorities to complete. It is a wonderful thing to be so clear about what matters. And, perhaps that is because the film and the In Your Own Skin project also invites all who take part in it to reflect very simply on what matters…personally and globally. It is even more relevant now than when I started. We NEED art like this. I hope you will participate in the In Your Own Skin project and be inspired.

And thank you so much for everything.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\n
How YOU can participate:

Share the event and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media , buy an In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1, Donate to the project to keep it going, Book your seats at the fabulous Totnes Cinema if you are in the UK, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

And Thank you so so much!

*if you can, be a star and order through your local independent book seller

\n
", + "content": "
\"
Katheryn with giant In Your Own Skin portrait banner of the very gorgeous very pregnant Samantha from India
\n \n\n\n\nHere we are and it is Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time of reflection, integration and most of all balance. Goodness knows we are all much more aware of the need for balance. And simplicity. And Essentialism. And we can all definitely use more comfort with discomfort.

So with that in mind, I offer up a contribution to all of these things and more. Connection with care, embracing the unity of diversity, the perfection of imperfection and the wonder of being a human being and being here for however long. I give you…drum roll…. the birth of In Your Own Skin documentary at long last.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
In Your Own Skin film is born!
\n \n\n\n\nAnd this has been the longest pregnancy ever… 10 years in fact. Well, you could say 8 years of pregnancy plus a pregnant pandemic pause of 2 more years to wait to host live events. When I was ill and became much more clear about what is essential, it was very clear that THIS FILM would be one of my top priorities to complete. It is a wonderful thing to be so clear about what matters. And, perhaps that is because the film and the In Your Own Skin project also invites all who take part in it to reflect very simply on what matters…personally and globally. It is even more relevant now than when I started. We NEED art like this. I hope you will participate in the In Your Own Skin project and be inspired.

And thank you so much for everything.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n
\n\nHow YOU can participate:

Share the event and this blog generously with all your peeps and on Social Media , buy an In Your Own Skin book* ISBN 978-0-9905420-0-1, Donate to the project to keep it going, Book your seats at the fabulous Totnes Cinema if you are in the UK, OR organise to host screening with Q&A community event at YOUR local cinema.

And Thank you so so much!

*if you can, be a star and order through your local independent book seller

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2500\"] Katheryn with giant In Your Own Skin portrait banner of the very gorgeous very pregnant Samantha from India [/caption] Here we are and it is Autumn...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/817ee290-152b-4814-aad7-bbe4e1478e22/Katheryn+M.+Trenshaw+with+In+Your+Own+Skin+banner+portrait?format=original", "images": [ @@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ "title": "YOU made this possible. Skin Film Premier Party Nov 7", "slug": "you-made-this-possible-skin-film-premier-party", "link": "/blog/2022/9/7/you-made-this-possible-skin-film-premier-party", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Against what seemed impossible odds:

It is with such great joy and with sweet salty tears in my eyes that I am sharing this to announce that we are having a celebration at long last of the In Your Own Skin documentary film party/premier at the charming and gorgeous Totnes Cinema. Please come and join the festivities, enjoy a cocktail and seriously good company…even get involved in this interactive community event with Q&A as well. Its gonna be touching and possibly life changing. And, after all, you are also a part of this. Woop woop 🙌 well done you!

Please book your tickets here asap. More will be revealed as we go along.

book film here

MIracles do happen. Thank you! We love you!

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nAgainst what seemed impossible odds:

It is with such great joy and with sweet salty tears in my eyes that I am sharing this to announce that we are having a celebration at long last of the In Your Own Skin documentary film party/premier at the charming and gorgeous Totnes Cinema. Please come and join the festivities, enjoy a cocktail and seriously good company…even get involved in this interactive community event with Q&A as well. Its gonna be touching and possibly life changing. And, after all, you are also a part of this. Woop woop 🙌 well done you!

Please book your tickets here asap. More will be revealed as we go along.

book film here

MIracles do happen. Thank you! We love you!

", "excerpt": "Against what seemed impossible odds: It is with such great joy and with sweet salty tears in my eyes that I am sharing this to announce that we are having a celebration at long last of the In Your...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/aad76ec8-12d5-49e5-bacf-20c9ebb8ea5a/Katheryn+In+Your+Own+Skin+banner.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ "title": "Spaces In Between", "slug": "spaces-in-between", "link": "/blog/2020/5/11/spaces-in-between", - "content": "
“Let yourself listen to the spaces in between.”
-Katheryn M. Trenshaw

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n

Here we are. It is spring and a global pandemic is happening. There is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty in our lives as well as in the collective unconscious. We are all connected. Interconnection has never in our lifetimes been more apparent. Here we are. Listen. Let yourself rest. Let yourself listen.

Our lives have been changed and we are all living in that liminal space where we are not where we were, nor where we are going. We are in the spaces in between. And here, when we notice what is happening, there IS space.

Joy

“Joy has everything to do with the fact that we’re all going to die.”
-Ross Gay

Our impermanence makes life more sweet. There is often more space to notice delight with this more front and center in our awareness. This can be a good time.

The songbirds are singing and can be heard more sweetly and so clearly with less traffic. It takes my breath away each morning. I can hear the woodpeckers for the first time early in the day from my kitchen, during my coffee making ritual. Maybe because there is less traffic to mask their sound? Maybe because they are coming in closer to towns with less noise and interference? And dolphins have moved into the canals of Venice, sheep into the villages of Wales and clean air into Mumbai where the air quality is extraordinarily high and normally polluted grey-green skies are blue and clear.

Many neighbours are meeting for perhaps the first time. I have met several newish families on my street and the smallest kindnesses and offerings and needs have made us all feel more whole. We are just that little bit more connected. Our simple neighbourhood WhatsApp group creates a safe way for tiny asks and offers. Extra broad beans to eat, spare pea seeds to plant, guidance on how to migrate a mobile phone and advice on pond creation, along with starter pond ingredients that’s started a ripple effect of pond passion. This tiny area will be watching for more frogs, newts and dragonflies. There is more interconnection here and less interference.

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.”
-Rilke, from “Go To the Limits of Your Longing\"

This pause is revealing a great deal. I invite you to join me in listening more and more to the spaces. And let’s be curious. What is essential? What’s happening now? All we know is we don’t know. But what IS happening now?

Spring Fertility and Rebirth

This can be a fertile time. My beloved son gifted me for UK Mother’s Day, in the midst of all this mayhem, madness and magic, with a new musical composition. It is based on “exploring the relationships between chords and intervals” and he then started to build paths between those chords which he eventually arranged into a piece of music…. And, he asserts, “of course the nicest sounds are often somewhere in between.”
I know I am biased, but the music is exquisite.

And breath.
What about breathing?
This simply
loving living act
we tend to
take so for granted.
Tend to your breath.
One breath.
Pause.
In breath.
Pause.
And out breath.
Pause.
This is being alive.
Simple.
Radiant.
Pulsing.
Pausing
Appreciating
the spaces in between.

• Katheryn M. Trenshaw

What small or large steps are you taking towards leaving a legacy of love? What is bursting forth at this fertile spring moment in time? Let yourself listen to the spaces in between.

\n
", + "content": "“Let yourself listen to the spaces in between.”
-Katheryn M. Trenshaw\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\n
Here we are. It is spring and a global pandemic is happening. There is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty in our lives as well as in the collective unconscious. We are all connected. Interconnection has never in our lifetimes been more apparent. Here we are. Listen. Let yourself rest. Let yourself listen.

Our lives have been changed and we are all living in that liminal space where we are not where we were, nor where we are going. We are in the spaces in between. And here, when we notice what is happening, there IS space.

Joy

“Joy has everything to do with the fact that we’re all going to die.”
-Ross Gay

Our impermanence makes life more sweet. There is often more space to notice delight with this more front and center in our awareness. This can be a good time.

The songbirds are singing and can be heard more sweetly and so clearly with less traffic. It takes my breath away each morning. I can hear the woodpeckers for the first time early in the day from my kitchen, during my coffee making ritual. Maybe because there is less traffic to mask their sound? Maybe because they are coming in closer to towns with less noise and interference? And dolphins have moved into the canals of Venice, sheep into the villages of Wales and clean air into Mumbai where the air quality is extraordinarily high and normally polluted grey-green skies are blue and clear.

Many neighbours are meeting for perhaps the first time. I have met several newish families on my street and the smallest kindnesses and offerings and needs have made us all feel more whole. We are just that little bit more connected. Our simple neighbourhood WhatsApp group creates a safe way for tiny asks and offers. Extra broad beans to eat, spare pea seeds to plant, guidance on how to migrate a mobile phone and advice on pond creation, along with starter pond ingredients that’s started a ripple effect of pond passion. This tiny area will be watching for more frogs, newts and dragonflies. There is more interconnection here and less interference.

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.”
-Rilke, from “Go To the Limits of Your Longing\"

This pause is revealing a great deal. I invite you to join me in listening more and more to the spaces. And let’s be curious. What is essential? What’s happening now? All we know is we don’t know. But what IS happening now?

Spring Fertility and Rebirth

This can be a fertile time. My beloved son gifted me for UK Mother’s Day, in the midst of all this mayhem, madness and magic, with a new musical composition. It is based on “exploring the relationships between chords and intervals” and he then started to build paths between those chords which he eventually arranged into a piece of music…. And, he asserts, “of course the nicest sounds are often somewhere in between.”
I know I am biased, but the music is exquisite.

And breath.
What about breathing?
This simply
loving living act
we tend to
take so for granted.
Tend to your breath.
One breath.
Pause.
In breath.
Pause.
And out breath.
Pause.
This is being alive.
Simple.
Radiant.
Pulsing.
Pausing
Appreciating
the spaces in between.

• Katheryn M. Trenshaw

What small or large steps are you taking towards leaving a legacy of love? What is bursting forth at this fertile spring moment in time? Let yourself listen to the spaces in between.

", "excerpt": "“Let yourself listen to the spaces in between.” -Katheryn M. Trenshaw Here we are. It is spring and a global pandemic is happening. There is a great deal of anxiety and uncertainty in our lives as...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1628796515803-CK0XA6FNWQXVP4FWJJOM/D2F54601-5EFD-4DAD-8C8A-A06BDAEA5D81.JPG?format=original", "images": [ @@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ "title": "Katheryn's Sauerkraut Recipe", "slug": "katheryns-saurkraut-recipe", "link": "/blog/2020/5/11/katheryns-saurkraut-recipe", - "content": "\"\"/", + "content": "\"\"", "excerpt": "", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1589299564943-QMZQ61GNCXA40OBNR82N/Copy+of+Copy+of+Katheryn%E2%80%99s+Apple+crumble-3.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ "title": "The Sound of silence.", "slug": "the-sound-of-silence", "link": "/blog/2020/1/25/the-sound-of-silence", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"151\"]\" 3-D frost on the ground [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
It’s winter. It feels like there is more space to revel in the morning doves with their touching songs, the thick low hanging skies, and 3-D frost covering all the low plants in the orchard. The thick frost coats everything as far as the eye can see. Dartmoor, out of my front window, is changed to a translucent white. This is winter in Devon.

This time of year seems more empty, yet so much is happening. This is a time when plants die or slow or go into hibernation. Deciduous trees are dormant, while their nourishing roots are full of sugary sap,

All this will change in Spring when the ground warms up again. The sap will rise, supplying energy for new shoots and leaves. Magic. Simple. A natural cycle.

We all need rest to regenerate our lives and appreciate the sweetness in our roots. It’s so easy to lose sight of this in the non-stop world of social media, anxiety producing news, and the “bigger, better, faster, more“ model.

It’s easy to forget that these natural cycles, like difficulties and pains and bereavements, are also natural and normal and important for living awake and authentically.

For myself, it has been quite a big bereavement to feel as if I have ‘lost’ the last 4 1/2 years of my life dealing with the whole cancer malarkey. When in fact, there has been a sweetness that has intensified and continued to nourish my soul.

So much has happened whilst I’ve been forced to be ‘still’ and tend to what needed to be attended to. Appreciating space, silence, simplicity, and nothing.

Clearing by Martha Poselthwaite

Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world
so worth of rescue.

And so my dear friends, I encourage you to appreciate the natural cycles in your life. Appreciate the last throws of winter and the resilient making pauses that create a truly dynamic wholehearted life.

To this end, I am just about to go on a two-week silent retreat to regenerate and refresh my batteries. This is a natural reset to remember the importance of silence and nothing.

Here’s to appreciations for natural cycles and spaciousness. Rock on resting, digesting and sacred wholing pauses.

What ways do you find your pause commitments in your life?

What’s one small thing could you do today to celebrate taking a pause?

How do you incorporate the sound of silence?

\n
", + "content": "
\"
3-D frost on the ground
\n \n\n\n\nIt’s winter. It feels like there is more space to revel in the morning doves with their touching songs, the thick low hanging skies, and 3-D frost covering all the low plants in the orchard. The thick frost coats everything as far as the eye can see. Dartmoor, out of my front window, is changed to a translucent white. This is winter in Devon.

This time of year seems more empty, yet so much is happening. This is a time when plants die or slow or go into hibernation. Deciduous trees are dormant, while their nourishing roots are full of sugary sap,

All this will change in Spring when the ground warms up again. The sap will rise, supplying energy for new shoots and leaves. Magic. Simple. A natural cycle.

We all need rest to regenerate our lives and appreciate the sweetness in our roots. It’s so easy to lose sight of this in the non-stop world of social media, anxiety producing news, and the “bigger, better, faster, more“ model.

It’s easy to forget that these natural cycles, like difficulties and pains and bereavements, are also natural and normal and important for living awake and authentically.

For myself, it has been quite a big bereavement to feel as if I have ‘lost’ the last 4 1/2 years of my life dealing with the whole cancer malarkey. When in fact, there has been a sweetness that has intensified and continued to nourish my soul.

So much has happened whilst I’ve been forced to be ‘still’ and tend to what needed to be attended to. Appreciating space, silence, simplicity, and nothing.

Clearing by Martha Poselthwaite

Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world
so worth of rescue.

And so my dear friends, I encourage you to appreciate the natural cycles in your life. Appreciate the last throws of winter and the resilient making pauses that create a truly dynamic wholehearted life.

To this end, I am just about to go on a two-week silent retreat to regenerate and refresh my batteries. This is a natural reset to remember the importance of silence and nothing.

Here’s to appreciations for natural cycles and spaciousness. Rock on resting, digesting and sacred wholing pauses.

What ways do you find your pause commitments in your life?

What’s one small thing could you do today to celebrate taking a pause?

How do you incorporate the sound of silence?

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"151\"] 3-D frost on the ground [/caption] It’s winter. It feels like there is more space to revel in the morning doves with their touching songs, the thick low...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1580238658044-1RNOVVJL5QBVYAO6HITQ/fullsizeoutput_1d.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ "title": "What is on your Radical Well-being Menu?", "slug": "what-is-on-your-radical-well-being-menu-right-now-in-your-life", "link": "/blog/2019/12/3/what-is-on-your-radical-well-being-menu-right-now-in-your-life", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2500\"]\" www.katheryntrenshaw.com/blog/2019/12/3/what-is-on-your-radical-well-being-menu-right-now-in-your-life [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
What is on your Radical Well-being Menu right now in your life?

On Saturday night, I had the honour of standing up in the breathtaking art strewn dining room of Rancho la Puerta and introduce the theme that I am co-presenting this week with my co-conspirator Dr. Lilli Rosenberg from Victoria Canada:

Living Awake: Grief, Grace and Gratitude

I am here to create comfort with discomfort, maybe flirt or even fall in love with awkwardness, and have the most important conversations we are NOT having. All this to grow sexy radical Well-being in our day to day lives and relationships: with ourselves, with each other and with this place.

We will explore Many topics around this, and here are some highlights to inquire into in your own life:

Spiritual Intelligence is our compass ‘at the edge’…

Living Awake requires that we venture to the edge of what we know… and embrace uncertainty. Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) provides a deep sense of what life’s struggles are about, enabling us to respond (rather than react) to the difficulties in our lives. Although this intelligence is a universal human potential, SQ requires awareness, attention, and proper cultivation in order that it may contribute beneficially. In this presentation, Lilli will outline the tenets and principles of spiritual intelligence, and explain how our innate capacities for grief, grace, and gratitude are integral for SQ’s growth and development.

Lilli with Katheryn

Living awake: the art of becoming comfortable with discomfort:

We tend to resist, and understandably, try not to feel difficulty, pain or discomfort. We can become more resilient and healthy as we learn how to live more fluidly. We increase our ability to live response-ably to life’s natural disruptions. Life offers us a huge range of experiences: grieving, living, dying, celebrating, which, though challenging in different ways, are not a problem. From in depth lifelong study and Katheryn’s own experiences with the ‘Big C’, discover how being with what is actually happening and humour heal., Explore the increased grace and awakeness of becoming more comfortable with discomfort. Come dance with paradox.

Katheryn with Lilli

Learned Happiness

The concept of happiness is surely the sun at the centre of our conceptual planetary system, and has proven just as difficult to look at directly. Considering how powerful a motivational force the quest for happiness is, it remains a surprisingly misunderstood concept. Misguided beliefs and common misconceptions about happiness are one of the greatest sources of unhappiness. Through this presentation on Learned Happiness, Lilli provides an accessible framework to comprehend happiness, since, like the sun, it is essential to our well being that we recognize the importance of its presence or absence in our lives. While our innate aspiration for happiness influences all the multi-layered facets of life, its cultivation requires appropriate awareness and attitudes. Our conscious intentional attention to grief, grace, and gratitude are well-researched predictors for the growth of essential happiness.

Lilli with Katheryn

Grace: Love letter to living and mortality, and Radical well-being

Life isn’t safe. We have a practical need to feel safe, unconsciously. And life does not align itself around our preferences or our survival strategies. In this session Katheryn will invite you to explore living more fully alive through remembering natural cycles and being inspired to make more clear, important and essential choices about what we do and how we live our lives through our appreciation that we are, indeed, mortal.. We will also explore a delicious ‘Radical Well-being menu’ to invite fresh new ways to live more fully awake. Come be curious and open to inspiration, creativity and fresh perspectives.

Katheryn with Lilli

So here we are, mortal and alive. What is on your Radical Well-being Menu right now in your life? Put another way, “What did you LOVE to spend your time immersed in when you were 5?\"

For me, part of LIVING AWAKE is creating art that touched the heart, disrupts fixed ideas, and invited suriosity. This is part of my Radical Well-Being Recipes. What are yours? What are you waiting for?

WHEN I AM AMONG TREES by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,”

they say, “and you, too, have come

into the world to do this, to go easy,

to be filled with light, and to shine.”

\n
", + "content": "
\"
www.katheryntrenshaw.com/blog/2019/12/3/what-is-on-your-radical-well-being-menu-right-now-in-your-life
\n \n\n\n\nWhat is on your Radical Well-being Menu right now in your life?

On Saturday night, I had the honour of standing up in the breathtaking art strewn dining room of Rancho la Puerta and introduce the theme that I am co-presenting this week with my co-conspirator Dr. Lilli Rosenberg from Victoria Canada:

Living Awake: Grief, Grace and Gratitude

I am here to create comfort with discomfort, maybe flirt or even fall in love with awkwardness, and have the most important conversations we are NOT having. All this to grow sexy radical Well-being in our day to day lives and relationships: with ourselves, with each other and with this place.

We will explore Many topics around this, and here are some highlights to inquire into in your own life:

Spiritual Intelligence is our compass ‘at the edge’…

Living Awake requires that we venture to the edge of what we know… and embrace uncertainty. Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) provides a deep sense of what life’s struggles are about, enabling us to respond (rather than react) to the difficulties in our lives. Although this intelligence is a universal human potential, SQ requires awareness, attention, and proper cultivation in order that it may contribute beneficially. In this presentation, Lilli will outline the tenets and principles of spiritual intelligence, and explain how our innate capacities for grief, grace, and gratitude are integral for SQ’s growth and development.

Lilli with Katheryn

Living awake: the art of becoming comfortable with discomfort:

We tend to resist, and understandably, try not to feel difficulty, pain or discomfort. We can become more resilient and healthy as we learn how to live more fluidly. We increase our ability to live response-ably to life’s natural disruptions. Life offers us a huge range of experiences: grieving, living, dying, celebrating, which, though challenging in different ways, are not a problem. From in depth lifelong study and Katheryn’s own experiences with the ‘Big C’, discover how being with what is actually happening and humour heal., Explore the increased grace and awakeness of becoming more comfortable with discomfort. Come dance with paradox.

Katheryn with Lilli

Learned Happiness

The concept of happiness is surely the sun at the centre of our conceptual planetary system, and has proven just as difficult to look at directly. Considering how powerful a motivational force the quest for happiness is, it remains a surprisingly misunderstood concept. Misguided beliefs and common misconceptions about happiness are one of the greatest sources of unhappiness. Through this presentation on Learned Happiness, Lilli provides an accessible framework to comprehend happiness, since, like the sun, it is essential to our well being that we recognize the importance of its presence or absence in our lives. While our innate aspiration for happiness influences all the multi-layered facets of life, its cultivation requires appropriate awareness and attitudes. Our conscious intentional attention to grief, grace, and gratitude are well-researched predictors for the growth of essential happiness.

Lilli with Katheryn

Grace: Love letter to living and mortality, and Radical well-being

Life isn’t safe. We have a practical need to feel safe, unconsciously. And life does not align itself around our preferences or our survival strategies. In this session Katheryn will invite you to explore living more fully alive through remembering natural cycles and being inspired to make more clear, important and essential choices about what we do and how we live our lives through our appreciation that we are, indeed, mortal.. We will also explore a delicious ‘Radical Well-being menu’ to invite fresh new ways to live more fully awake. Come be curious and open to inspiration, creativity and fresh perspectives.

Katheryn with Lilli

So here we are, mortal and alive. What is on your Radical Well-being Menu right now in your life? Put another way, “What did you LOVE to spend your time immersed in when you were 5?\"

For me, part of LIVING AWAKE is creating art that touched the heart, disrupts fixed ideas, and invited suriosity. This is part of my Radical Well-Being Recipes. What are yours? What are you waiting for?

WHEN I AM AMONG TREES by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks, and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,”

they say, “and you, too, have come

into the world to do this, to go easy,

to be filled with light, and to shine.”

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2500\"] www.katheryntrenshaw.com/blog/2019/12/3/what-is-on-your-radical-well-being-menu-right-now-in-your-life [/caption] What is on your Radical Well-being...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1575417488855-L0NBI5OKDTL3QXXQ23AO/Lilli+and+Katheryn+at+Rancho+La+Puerta.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ "title": "Recipes for Radical Well-Being at the Ranch", "slug": "recipes-for-radical-well-being-at-the-ranch", "link": "/blog/2019/10/28/recipes-for-radical-well-being-at-the-ranch", - "content": "
“Let’s be curious and creative and fall in love with awkward, uncomfortable, the reality of every day grief and embracing not knowing what to do.”
-Katheryn M. Trenshaw

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Welcome to Radical Well-Being and welcome to Rancho la Puerta which offers one of the biggest menus for well-being every single week of the year and on every level. This is one of the best places in the whole wide world to be inspired with “recipes” for well-being. (That is not just MY opinion. Year after year, Condé Nast votes this one of the best destination spas in the world.)

This is an invitation to take some simple recipes for well-being inspirations into YOUR day-to-day life.

How can we truly be comfortable with discomfort? Perhaps the answer to this holds the ultimate key to resilience, fluidity and sustainability that we are seeking for our well-being.

A few years ago, I was caught completely off guard at a moment when my basic understandings of beauty, health and well-being had to be re-defined. It is scary and magnificent to be alive. Facing our mortality up close and personal can do incredible things for our perspective. At least it did for me.

“Bigger, better, faster, more” are not working out so well generally speaking. And, they do not seem to bring true contentment or well-being. Radical well-being Is more about living awake, vulnerably with what is, rather than what could be, should be, or would be.

I love a good list. I have been dubbed a “list queen”. What’s on your To DO list? And what happens when you consider it in conjunction with the fact that you are definitely going to die? I also love a good Venn diagram. And this is my current favourite.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
There, in the sweet spot between To-Do List(s) and Awareness of Death is what matters most and what is essential in life. Let’s live while we are here, aware of our impermanence. Let’s remind ourselves and each other what is essential in that sweet spot in the Venn diagram. Let’s consider the importance of being a little kinder, no matter what happens next. We’ve all got that same fatal condition called life.

Let’s be curious and creative and fall in love with awkward, uncomfortable, the reality of every day grief and embracing not knowing what to do.

Rancho la Puerta has invited me and some fabulous collaborators to come and offer workshops on this very topic as an important part of health. We’ll be sharing lots of fabulous “Recipes for Radical Well-being”.

Beginning with ‘Living Awake: Grief, Grace and Gratitude’, with Dr Lilli Rosenberg from November 30 to December 7. This will be followed by ‘Wild and Precious Life: Women Living with and Beyond Breast Cancer’, with Dr. Ulrike Schoneck from December 7 to 14.

What are your favourite ingredients for radical well-being? Which ingredients do you find most essential in that sweet spot?

Come feast with us. On the menu…

———
Katheryn M. Trenshaw will be co-facilitating with Dr Lilli Rosenberg Living Awake: Grief, Grace and Gratitude Nov 30 - Dec 7, 2019 and with Dr Ulrike Schoneck Wild and Precious Life: Women Living With & Beyond Breast Cancer from Dec 7 - 14, 2019 at Rancho la Puerta. Katheryn will also be a featured artist in the Bazaar del Sol Gallery for several weeks in November and December at the Ranch. Come join her for a glass of wine and learn more about her colourful creative original oeuvres.

——

Katheryn Trenshaw is an international artist, educator and creative catalyst / consultant who offers training and facilitation in movement, art and Radical Well-Being. She conducts educational events, workshops, multimedia project and undertakes consulting for individuals, groups and organisations.

Dr. Lilli Ruth Rosenberg developed a model of Learned Happiness which synthesizes research in Neuropsychology, Buddhism, and Transformational Learning. Katheryn and Lilli met at the ranch four years ago and together, they make for an abundant bouquet of sixty years of training, experience, and teaching. A multitude of modalities include meditation, integrative health, somatic practices, dynamic communication, movement, and creative expression. Their complimentary styles provide a safe atmosphere for diving deep, connecting with love, and transformation into Living Awake.

Dr. Ulrike Schoeneck and Katheryn will present a series of talks and workshops. They each hold Medical / Academic training respectively and both have an extensive background in somatic and contemplative practices which include long silent retreats. This combination means they offer something very unique and integrative for health and well-being. They are also able to handle a much broader range of questions and concerns from different angles and experiences that they offer together.

\n
", + "content": "“Let’s be curious and creative and fall in love with awkward, uncomfortable, the reality of every day grief and embracing not knowing what to do.”
-Katheryn M. Trenshaw \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nWelcome to Radical Well-Being and welcome to Rancho la Puerta which offers one of the biggest menus for well-being every single week of the year and on every level. This is one of the best places in the whole wide world to be inspired with “recipes” for well-being. (That is not just MY opinion. Year after year, Condé Nast votes this one of the best destination spas in the world.)

This is an invitation to take some simple recipes for well-being inspirations into YOUR day-to-day life.

How can we truly be comfortable with discomfort? Perhaps the answer to this holds the ultimate key to resilience, fluidity and sustainability that we are seeking for our well-being.

A few years ago, I was caught completely off guard at a moment when my basic understandings of beauty, health and well-being had to be re-defined. It is scary and magnificent to be alive. Facing our mortality up close and personal can do incredible things for our perspective. At least it did for me.

“Bigger, better, faster, more” are not working out so well generally speaking. And, they do not seem to bring true contentment or well-being. Radical well-being Is more about living awake, vulnerably with what is, rather than what could be, should be, or would be.

I love a good list. I have been dubbed a “list queen”. What’s on your To DO list? And what happens when you consider it in conjunction with the fact that you are definitely going to die? I also love a good Venn diagram. And this is my current favourite.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nThere, in the sweet spot between To-Do List(s) and Awareness of Death is what matters most and what is essential in life. Let’s live while we are here, aware of our impermanence. Let’s remind ourselves and each other what is essential in that sweet spot in the Venn diagram. Let’s consider the importance of being a little kinder, no matter what happens next. We’ve all got that same fatal condition called life.

Let’s be curious and creative and fall in love with awkward, uncomfortable, the reality of every day grief and embracing not knowing what to do.

Rancho la Puerta has invited me and some fabulous collaborators to come and offer workshops on this very topic as an important part of health. We’ll be sharing lots of fabulous “Recipes for Radical Well-being”.

Beginning with ‘Living Awake: Grief, Grace and Gratitude’, with Dr Lilli Rosenberg from November 30 to December 7. This will be followed by ‘Wild and Precious Life: Women Living with and Beyond Breast Cancer’, with Dr. Ulrike Schoneck from December 7 to 14.

What are your favourite ingredients for radical well-being? Which ingredients do you find most essential in that sweet spot?

Come feast with us. On the menu…

———
Katheryn M. Trenshaw will be co-facilitating with Dr Lilli Rosenberg Living Awake: Grief, Grace and Gratitude Nov 30 - Dec 7, 2019 and with Dr Ulrike Schoneck Wild and Precious Life: Women Living With & Beyond Breast Cancer from Dec 7 - 14, 2019 at Rancho la Puerta. Katheryn will also be a featured artist in the Bazaar del Sol Gallery for several weeks in November and December at the Ranch. Come join her for a glass of wine and learn more about her colourful creative original oeuvres.

——

Katheryn Trenshaw is an international artist, educator and creative catalyst / consultant who offers training and facilitation in movement, art and Radical Well-Being. She conducts educational events, workshops, multimedia project and undertakes consulting for individuals, groups and organisations.

Dr. Lilli Ruth Rosenberg developed a model of Learned Happiness which synthesizes research in Neuropsychology, Buddhism, and Transformational Learning. Katheryn and Lilli met at the ranch four years ago and together, they make for an abundant bouquet of sixty years of training, experience, and teaching. A multitude of modalities include meditation, integrative health, somatic practices, dynamic communication, movement, and creative expression. Their complimentary styles provide a safe atmosphere for diving deep, connecting with love, and transformation into Living Awake.

Dr. Ulrike Schoeneck and Katheryn will present a series of talks and workshops. They each hold Medical / Academic training respectively and both have an extensive background in somatic and contemplative practices which include long silent retreats. This combination means they offer something very unique and integrative for health and well-being. They are also able to handle a much broader range of questions and concerns from different angles and experiences that they offer together.

", "excerpt": "“Let’s be curious and creative and fall in love with awkward, uncomfortable, the reality of every day grief and embracing not knowing what to do.” -Katheryn M. Trenshaw Welcome to Radical Well-Being...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1572307375090-9T9JL49VHAT05YJ2BQP5/Katheryn+Trenshaw+at+Rancho+la+Puerta+.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ "title": "Courageous Conversations: no bull", "slug": "no-bs-or-nbsp-courageous-conversations-", "link": "/blog/2019/10/29/no-bs-or-nbsp-courageous-conversations-", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I recently have come to peace and acceptance about some simple things about myself. I have always been and always will be an educator, particularly in dealing with shadow material. I love how we are liberated by facing discomfort. Finding comfort in discomfort and even, ultimately, really loving things we avoid as a means of living with more grace, vitality and resilience. We’ve all been born with gifts, and this seems to be a main thread in mine.

So, I decided to do a one woman performance called ‘Dying to Live: By the Numbers’. It asserts that:
We all know we are going to die.

And then asks a key question:
But do we really believe it? Could a sudden brush with mortality bring us closer to life and love?

And so I offer insights, by weaving several characters into this one woman show about my encounter with the big C and all that surrounds it.

I am an educator not a performer per se so this is really edgy, exhilarating and vulnerable for me. After delivering my ‘Dying to Live: By the Numbers’ one woman performance on Whidbey Island , I invited an inquiry circle for a Q&A. It moves my heart and I’ve been deeply affected by this powerful community strengthening art form. The audience asked questions and shared how this performance and story-telling has touched, moved or inspired them.

I assert the idea during the show that this topic of our mortality is the most important conversation we are mostly not having. I stand by this. And as such, this is one great, safe and ironically fun opportunity to have this courageous conversation. It’s delightful, inspiring and life affirming to be a part of this important half of the event. This is how it went…

I was asked by my wonderful new blogger friend Charles, “What makes you impatient after experiencing the trauma and grounding of diagnosis and treatment? “

Without hesitation, I responded; “Bullshit. I‘ve not got time for it. My own, or anyone else’s.” He was impressed with the speed at which I answered. So was I, I think.

I went on…
”I’m also more impatient and much more rigorous about actually contributing. By this I do not just mean giving or saying something. I’ve done far too much “saying something” over the course of my life. I mean contributing.

“So, for instance, if there is an event or a conversation happening, I wait a bit longer and I listen: within and without. I listen and THEN I contribute. I might contribute more without saying a word at times, by simply anchoring the space with my depth of presence and listening. I may contribute most by my calmness and simply by breathing. This contributes because I’ve noticed the room is airless with anxiety and fear. I may contribute most by admitting kindly that I feel awkward and unsure about how to relate with what is going on. Or I may wait and, when the moment is right, say something that adds love or wisdom or clarity. There are so many ways to contribute.”

I once was on a crowded train on the way to Bristol Hospital for an appointment. I was fatigued, frightened and quite weak so the trip was much more intense than just a normal train journey. As we were pulling in slowly to the large crowded station, about 25 of us waited in the small holding area at the end of the train carriage for the door to open onto the platform. There was a very agitated middle-aged man who was saying over and over again how he was going to miss his connection. He repeated this many times, loudly and clearly. He had obviously \"got his knickers in a twist\" as the Brits like to say. Everyone around him had practically stopped breathing and the air in the carriage became very hot, dense and tense. I listened, as we all did. I was OK with the discomfort. Truly. I felt his pain as well as that of the rest of us.

Finally, and because it was a “good” day, in my “no-B.S.-whilst-contributing” way that I hoped would serve the greater good, I said, “Well, if we don’t make our connections, it’s REALLY a first world problem.” I said it with levity and kindness in my heart, with compassion for him and all of us. I said “we” so that he did not feel alone too. Luckily everyone exploded into laughter, including the stressed out man. And the train’s room was full of fresh air to breathe again. I took a risk and got lucky.

It’s great to be alive, even with the difficult bits if we can simply BE there. Staying at home in ourselves.

One comment at the end of the evening that struck me, particularly because of the glee in her shiny eyes as she shared it was:

“After experiencing this performance, I am joyful! And you’re talking about a subject that could be a real downer. You have given us a gift. I feel I could get up and laugh. Thank you.”
-Susan

Comfort with discomfort. Ahhhhh, our nervous systems are released and rest down a bit within. We feel more at home. Joyful even. How did THAT happen?

No B.S. whilst contributing. Deep Listening. Courageous Conversations.

What contributions can we offer ourselves, each each other and our greater community today?

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For more information about ‘Dying to Live: By the Numbers’ :
https://www.katheryntrenshaw.com/events/2019/10/22/dying-to-live-by-the-numbers-a-work-in-progress

Let me know if you would like to organise an event with this in your community.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI recently have come to peace and acceptance about some simple things about myself. I have always been and always will be an educator, particularly in dealing with shadow material. I love how we are liberated by facing discomfort. Finding comfort in discomfort and even, ultimately, really loving things we avoid as a means of living with more grace, vitality and resilience. We’ve all been born with gifts, and this seems to be a main thread in mine.

So, I decided to do a one woman performance called ‘Dying to Live: By the Numbers’. It asserts that:
We all know we are going to die.

And then asks a key question:
But do we really believe it? Could a sudden brush with mortality bring us closer to life and love?

And so I offer insights, by weaving several characters into this one woman show about my encounter with the big C and all that surrounds it.

I am an educator not a performer per se so this is really edgy, exhilarating and vulnerable for me. After delivering my ‘Dying to Live: By the Numbers’ one woman performance on Whidbey Island , I invited an inquiry circle for a Q&A. It moves my heart and I’ve been deeply affected by this powerful community strengthening art form. The audience asked questions and shared how this performance and story-telling has touched, moved or inspired them.

I assert the idea during the show that this topic of our mortality is the most important conversation we are mostly not having. I stand by this. And as such, this is one great, safe and ironically fun opportunity to have this courageous conversation. It’s delightful, inspiring and life affirming to be a part of this important half of the event. This is how it went…

I was asked by my wonderful new blogger friend Charles, “What makes you impatient after experiencing the trauma and grounding of diagnosis and treatment? “

Without hesitation, I responded; “Bullshit. I‘ve not got time for it. My own, or anyone else’s.” He was impressed with the speed at which I answered. So was I, I think.

I went on…
”I’m also more impatient and much more rigorous about actually contributing. By this I do not just mean giving or saying something. I’ve done far too much “saying something” over the course of my life. I mean contributing.

“So, for instance, if there is an event or a conversation happening, I wait a bit longer and I listen: within and without. I listen and THEN I contribute. I might contribute more without saying a word at times, by simply anchoring the space with my depth of presence and listening. I may contribute most by my calmness and simply by breathing. This contributes because I’ve noticed the room is airless with anxiety and fear. I may contribute most by admitting kindly that I feel awkward and unsure about how to relate with what is going on. Or I may wait and, when the moment is right, say something that adds love or wisdom or clarity. There are so many ways to contribute.”

I once was on a crowded train on the way to Bristol Hospital for an appointment. I was fatigued, frightened and quite weak so the trip was much more intense than just a normal train journey. As we were pulling in slowly to the large crowded station, about 25 of us waited in the small holding area at the end of the train carriage for the door to open onto the platform. There was a very agitated middle-aged man who was saying over and over again how he was going to miss his connection. He repeated this many times, loudly and clearly. He had obviously \"got his knickers in a twist\" as the Brits like to say. Everyone around him had practically stopped breathing and the air in the carriage became very hot, dense and tense. I listened, as we all did. I was OK with the discomfort. Truly. I felt his pain as well as that of the rest of us.

Finally, and because it was a “good” day, in my “no-B.S.-whilst-contributing” way that I hoped would serve the greater good, I said, “Well, if we don’t make our connections, it’s REALLY a first world problem.” I said it with levity and kindness in my heart, with compassion for him and all of us. I said “we” so that he did not feel alone too. Luckily everyone exploded into laughter, including the stressed out man. And the train’s room was full of fresh air to breathe again. I took a risk and got lucky.

It’s great to be alive, even with the difficult bits if we can simply BE there. Staying at home in ourselves.

One comment at the end of the evening that struck me, particularly because of the glee in her shiny eyes as she shared it was:

“After experiencing this performance, I am joyful! And you’re talking about a subject that could be a real downer. You have given us a gift. I feel I could get up and laugh. Thank you.”
-Susan

Comfort with discomfort. Ahhhhh, our nervous systems are released and rest down a bit within. We feel more at home. Joyful even. How did THAT happen?

No B.S. whilst contributing. Deep Listening. Courageous Conversations.

What contributions can we offer ourselves, each each other and our greater community today?

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\nFor more information about ‘Dying to Live: By the Numbers’ :
https://www.katheryntrenshaw.com/events/2019/10/22/dying-to-live-by-the-numbers-a-work-in-progress

Let me know if you would like to organise an event with this in your community.

", "excerpt": "I recently have come to peace and acceptance about some simple things about myself. I have always been and always will be an educator, particularly in dealing with shadow material. I love how we are...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1574711089580-RCVSFZZ9MGNUKNNGBWBG/Courageous%25252BConvesations%25252BKatheryn%25252BTrenshaw.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ "title": "Harvesting Apples: Connecting Across Continents", "slug": "harvesting-apples-connecting-across-continents", "link": "/blog/2019/9/11/harvesting-apples-connecting-across-continents", - "content": "
“I’m no longer searching, I'm just opening.” -MARK NEPO

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"750\"]\" Connecting in apples trees at Hollyhock. © Darshan Alexander [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
This week, I've been out in the early autumn sun harvesting squash blossoms, tomatoes, raspberries and many varieties of apples: eaters and cookers. So many delicious apples.

One of the many wonderful things about being in the garden and engaging in this \"green gym\" activity is that it connects me to everything and increases my appreciation of the natural cycles of life. These cycles are simple and inevitable and wonderful if we can stop searching for anything else but what is natural intelligence.

And all the elements are literally here in my hands. It makes me feel very alive, awake and opens my mind, body and spirit to what is happening here and now.

It's Apple country here in Devon. Like many of the western bits of France and England, these Celtic lands are famous for their delicious and abundant ciders and apples.

So too, on Cortes Island, Hollyhock where I'll be in just over two weeks' time for my workshop retreat on Grief, Grace and Gratitude, it has its own bountiful crop of apples. Juicy, alive, abundant fruit ready for harvest. Crumbles to be made, apple rings to dehydrate, jam to simmer, compote to cook, and apple pies of course.

It's wonderful to stop the searching and simply to surrender to what is at harvest time. It's Autumn, apples are everywhere. There is beauty in simply opening up to this. My nervous system can rest and relax and feel simply more awake. A life lived awake also involves letting go and grief. Natural intelligence. Natural cycles. Natural necessary aspects of living.

When we feel grief authentically, and allow the feeling fully, then our bodies and spirits open up to what is happening now. It takes time and space. And inside of the contraction and avoidance of what we don't want, once it is felt, is space and often joy. Opening to “what is”, all of it, gives us a harvest of fluidity, freedom and resilience.

The letting go of a ripe apple falling from the tree as fruit. The cycle is complete for now as an end and a beginning simultaneously. There is grief perhaps and also the graceful rightness of things ending as they do and so they must, to make way for cyclical changes and new beginnings, as well as delicious apple treats. Gratitude and Thanksgiving naturally arise and we can enjoy the end of the search and simply, gracefully perhaps, vulnerably and tenderly, surrender our searching and live fully awake.

What are you harvesting this autumn? What crops are culminating? What are you more curious about than afraid of? What is your harvest now?

Here’s to your life’s harvest and the embrace of natural cycles.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “If an apple blossom or a ripe apple could tell its own story, it would be, still more than its own, the story of the sunshine that smiled upon it, of the winds that whispered to it, of the birds that sang around it, of the storms that visited it, and of the motherly tree that held it and fed it until its petals were unfolded and its form developed.
”\n
\n
— - Lucy Larcom
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “In the Lakota/Sioux tradition, a person who is grieving is considered most waken, most holy.There’s a sense that when someone is struck by the sudden lightning of loss, he or she stands on the threshold of the spirit world. The prayers of those who grieve are considered especially strong, and it is proper to ask them for their help.You might recall what it’s like to be with someone who has grieved deeply. The person has no layer of protection, nothing left to defend. The mystery is looking out through that person’s eyes. For the time being, he or she has accepted the reality of loss and has stopped clinging to the past or grasping at the future. In the groundless openness of sorrow, there is a wholeness of presence and a deep natural wisdom.”\n
\n
— ― Tara Brach
\n
", + "content": "“I’m no longer searching, I'm just opening.” -MARK NEPO\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Connecting in apples trees at Hollyhock. © Darshan Alexander
\n \n\n\n\nThis week, I've been out in the early autumn sun harvesting squash blossoms, tomatoes, raspberries and many varieties of apples: eaters and cookers. So many delicious apples.

One of the many wonderful things about being in the garden and engaging in this \"green gym\" activity is that it connects me to everything and increases my appreciation of the natural cycles of life. These cycles are simple and inevitable and wonderful if we can stop searching for anything else but what is natural intelligence.

And all the elements are literally here in my hands. It makes me feel very alive, awake and opens my mind, body and spirit to what is happening here and now.

It's Apple country here in Devon. Like many of the western bits of France and England, these Celtic lands are famous for their delicious and abundant ciders and apples.

So too, on Cortes Island, Hollyhock where I'll be in just over two weeks' time for my workshop retreat on Grief, Grace and Gratitude, it has its own bountiful crop of apples. Juicy, alive, abundant fruit ready for harvest. Crumbles to be made, apple rings to dehydrate, jam to simmer, compote to cook, and apple pies of course.

It's wonderful to stop the searching and simply to surrender to what is at harvest time. It's Autumn, apples are everywhere. There is beauty in simply opening up to this. My nervous system can rest and relax and feel simply more awake. A life lived awake also involves letting go and grief. Natural intelligence. Natural cycles. Natural necessary aspects of living.

When we feel grief authentically, and allow the feeling fully, then our bodies and spirits open up to what is happening now. It takes time and space. And inside of the contraction and avoidance of what we don't want, once it is felt, is space and often joy. Opening to “what is”, all of it, gives us a harvest of fluidity, freedom and resilience.

The letting go of a ripe apple falling from the tree as fruit. The cycle is complete for now as an end and a beginning simultaneously. There is grief perhaps and also the graceful rightness of things ending as they do and so they must, to make way for cyclical changes and new beginnings, as well as delicious apple treats. Gratitude and Thanksgiving naturally arise and we can enjoy the end of the search and simply, gracefully perhaps, vulnerably and tenderly, surrender our searching and live fully awake.

What are you harvesting this autumn? What crops are culminating? What are you more curious about than afraid of? What is your harvest now?

Here’s to your life’s harvest and the embrace of natural cycles.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “If an apple blossom or a ripe apple could tell its own story, it would be, still more than its own, the story of the sunshine that smiled upon it, of the winds that whispered to it, of the birds that sang around it, of the storms that visited it, and of the motherly tree that held it and fed it until its petals were unfolded and its form developed.
”\n
\n
— - Lucy Larcom
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “In the Lakota/Sioux tradition, a person who is grieving is considered most waken, most holy.There’s a sense that when someone is struck by the sudden lightning of loss, he or she stands on the threshold of the spirit world. The prayers of those who grieve are considered especially strong, and it is proper to ask them for their help.You might recall what it’s like to be with someone who has grieved deeply. The person has no layer of protection, nothing left to defend. The mystery is looking out through that person’s eyes. For the time being, he or she has accepted the reality of loss and has stopped clinging to the past or grasping at the future. In the groundless openness of sorrow, there is a wholeness of presence and a deep natural wisdom.”\n
\n
— ― Tara Brach
\n
", "excerpt": "“I’m no longer searching, I'm just opening.” -MARK NEPO [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"750\"] Connecting in apples trees at Hollyhock. © Darshan Alexander [/caption] This week, I've been out...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1568236070509-2Y5EFZN9A5NYG3M02RJC/Connecting+in+apple+trees+at+Hollyhock+-+Darshan+Alexander?format=original", "images": [ @@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ "title": "Katheryn's Apple Crumble Recipe", "slug": "katheryns-apple-crumble-recipe", "link": "/blog/2019/9/7/katheryns-apple-crumble-recipe", - "content": "\"\"/", + "content": "\"\"", "excerpt": "", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1567961234550-MSQUG9UVUREJ49U09330/Katheryn%E2%80%99s+Apple+crumble+%283%29.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ "title": "Living Awake: Your Choice", "slug": "living-awake-your-choice", "link": "/blog/2019/6/6/living-awake-your-choice", - "content": "
Living Awake is a simple invitation to freedom. This is an invitation to this moment right now, as it is. Simple… not always easy… but definitely worth it.

Habits of a lifetime take time and space to acquire. They also take time and space to transform and change. The human body takes seven years to replace all of its cells. And the neuronal pathways are affected by our habits of everyday living. Time and space.

There are choices every step of the way as we negotiate our lives in this time space continuum. Choices like doorways we step through that can influence our lives. And so, living awake is our choice.

“How we spend our time is how we live our lives.“

~Annie Dillard

Imagine If when you spoke you decided to stop repeating that old worn out stale story you have recounted many times (you know the one!). You’re bored with this oft repeated storyline, so change it.

Imagine if instead you paused, took a breath or two and listened for the briefest of moments. And your words were a conscious contribution to whoever you were relating with…even if that were you. This simple change would transform every exchange; personal, professional, with your community and with your family.

The time has come. The freedom of nowhere to go. The liberation of nothing to prove. Nothing to fix or even change. Not what ‘would be’, ‘should be’ or ‘could be’, but what actually is happening in this moment right now. Feel what arises? What would love say? Or do? Or even, more radically, what would love love?

Deep liberation, wholeness and well-being are already in each of us. Pause, relax and listen. Responding instead of reacting. This is not just semantics. This IS response-ability. And this is a feeling of being at home in ourselves, our lives and the world. This is radical well-being.

Enter into this inquiry, into staying here a moment and feeling what arises. Don’t take my word for it. Find out and explore. Be curious, creative and free to choose to live awake. Welcome home.

Let me know in the comments below how this made you feel and if it makes a difference to your everyday life.

——-

I’ll be teaching 3 courses on the West Coast in North America this Autumn/ Winter with wonderful international collaborators.

See below for details:

LIVING AWAKE: GRIEF, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE: September 29, 2019 to October 3, 2019 at Hollyhock on Cortez Island - an unparalleled center of learning, connection and cultural transformation. - 4 full day immersion.


PLUS - November 30 to December 7, 2019 at Rancho la Puerta, the world-renowned fitness and spa retreat in the mountains of Baja California as part of a radical well-being program of offerings.

WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE: WOMEN LIVING WITH AND BEYOND BREAST CANCER: December 7 to 14, 2019 also at the world-renowned Rancho la Puerta.

These events are the bookends of my West Coast 2019 'Dying to Live' Tour. From the end of September through mid December 2019. I am considering Victoria Canada, Whidbey Island and Seattle WA, Portland OR, San Francisco CA, San Diego CA and environs. Contact me if you would like to organise a talk, workshop, an In Your Own Skin event: talk, book signing, film screening- in your West location or to book a private session.

If you’ve been inspired by this blog post, please pass it on to someone else who you feel might appreciate reading it too.

Thank you so so much!

Katheryn

www.katheryntrenshaw.com

Take care, Take Risks

\n
", + "content": "Living Awake is a simple invitation to freedom. This is an invitation to this moment right now, as it is. Simple… not always easy… but definitely worth it.

Habits of a lifetime take time and space to acquire. They also take time and space to transform and change. The human body takes seven years to replace all of its cells. And the neuronal pathways are affected by our habits of everyday living. Time and space.

There are choices every step of the way as we negotiate our lives in this time space continuum. Choices like doorways we step through that can influence our lives. And so, living awake is our choice.

“How we spend our time is how we live our lives.“

~Annie Dillard

Imagine If when you spoke you decided to stop repeating that old worn out stale story you have recounted many times (you know the one!). You’re bored with this oft repeated storyline, so change it.

Imagine if instead you paused, took a breath or two and listened for the briefest of moments. And your words were a conscious contribution to whoever you were relating with…even if that were you. This simple change would transform every exchange; personal, professional, with your community and with your family.

The time has come. The freedom of nowhere to go. The liberation of nothing to prove. Nothing to fix or even change. Not what ‘would be’, ‘should be’ or ‘could be’, but what actually is happening in this moment right now. Feel what arises? What would love say? Or do? Or even, more radically, what would love love?

Deep liberation, wholeness and well-being are already in each of us. Pause, relax and listen. Responding instead of reacting. This is not just semantics. This IS response-ability. And this is a feeling of being at home in ourselves, our lives and the world. This is radical well-being.

Enter into this inquiry, into staying here a moment and feeling what arises. Don’t take my word for it. Find out and explore. Be curious, creative and free to choose to live awake. Welcome home.

Let me know in the comments below how this made you feel and if it makes a difference to your everyday life.

——-

I’ll be teaching 3 courses on the West Coast in North America this Autumn/ Winter with wonderful international collaborators.

See below for details:

LIVING AWAKE: GRIEF, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE: September 29, 2019 to October 3, 2019 at Hollyhock on Cortez Island - an unparalleled center of learning, connection and cultural transformation. - 4 full day immersion.


PLUS - November 30 to December 7, 2019 at Rancho la Puerta, the world-renowned fitness and spa retreat in the mountains of Baja California as part of a radical well-being program of offerings.

WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE: WOMEN LIVING WITH AND BEYOND BREAST CANCER: December 7 to 14, 2019 also at the world-renowned Rancho la Puerta.

These events are the bookends of my West Coast 2019 'Dying to Live' Tour. From the end of September through mid December 2019. I am considering Victoria Canada, Whidbey Island and Seattle WA, Portland OR, San Francisco CA, San Diego CA and environs. Contact me if you would like to organise a talk, workshop, an In Your Own Skin event: talk, book signing, film screening- in your West location or to book a private session.

If you’ve been inspired by this blog post, please pass it on to someone else who you feel might appreciate reading it too.

Thank you so so much!

Katheryn

www.katheryntrenshaw.com

Take care, Take Risks

", "excerpt": "Living Awake is a simple invitation to freedom. This is an invitation to this moment right now, as it is. Simple… not always easy… but definitely worth it. Habits of a lifetime take time and space to...", "featuredImage": null, "images": [], @@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ "title": "Singing Awake: Risk Really Living", "slug": "singing-awake-risk-really-living", "link": "/blog/2019/5/3/singing-awake-risk-really-living", - "content": "
\n
\n “The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately. ”\n
\n
— SENECA
\n
\n\n\n
We are taught to be anxious about things - future and past. And generally are inclined to spend far too great a percentage of our energy on this fruitless worry. The last few years have given me heaps of opportunities to worry, and I can assure you that I did my fair share. Nothing like the “C word” and “complications” to get a person to go there…. Not to mention all of your friends and acquaintances.

And, this worry is never about now. Right now things are actually just happening, no matter what is actually going on, even though it might be an overarching period of difficulty in your life and the waviness of life is still doing what it does. Life pulses and makes waves. But this moment in time, this moment, this now is actually fine.

When we forget about the natural pulse of life and resist it, we suffer. If you, for instance, take a deep breath and hold it…and KEEP holding it and keep holding it, you will very soon appreciate that in AND OUT are important and welcome. The pulse of breath and life. In and out. Up and down. Summer and Winter. So birth and death are important pulses and natural too.

It’s your life. Don’t miss it.

“I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.” - Mary Oliver

So, how can we find more impartial kindness-for ourselves, for others, for the planet, at this moment in time? How can we support each other-consciously feeling it all: sorrow, rage, confusion, pain, pressure? How can we find enough access to our heart/ centre so that we can be courageous/ heartful? (cœur = heart in French, cor = heart in Latin). How can we listen with our hearts and respond rather than react, accessing our discriminative intelligence?

Simple opportunities arise each and every moment. Two recent opportunities have presented themselves to me involving choirs full of strangers.

Choir invite number 1:

First the background- Three years ago The Voices of Our City Choir was created by an extraordinary friend of mine named Steph Johnson in response to the San Diego housing crisis. She couldn’t bear the homeless crisis in San Diego so she decided to do something about it. To do what she could. Homelessness rose 800% in one year. And, to add insult to injury, homelessness is technically illegal, so it’s a crime to be homeless and therefore punishable.

How could she create a bridge/ a threshold?

The choir was created with the aim to transform the perception and experience of homelessness through the healing power of music and singing together. Things have gone from strength to strength for the choir. It’s now a not-for-profit organisation offering weekly song writing lessons, guitar lessons, and choir practice along with a delicious healthy meal.

The thing I remember most about Steph’s inspiration was that she wanted to create a place where everyone, anyone, at least for an hour, could have the experience of dignity. We all need and deserve dignity. We all need and deserve holding.

A couple of months ago, in San Diego, I had the opportunity at long last, to sing and dance in the aisles with the ‘Voices of our City Choir’ weekly choir practice.

I went along to sing with the choir with 100 strangers who all had a different story. I got to see them perform an arrangement from my choir back in England, with which we have a fledgling song exchange going. I felt like I was at the best, most rocking jazz-gospel-dance extravaganza that I’ve been to in a very long time. So much love. So much generosity. So much life. Surrounded by strangers, all of whom I fell in love with. Living Awake.

Threshold held. Threshold opened.

——

Choir invite number 2: I was recently invited to a bilingual threshold choir rehearsal at Rancho la Puerta in Baja. I love the Threshold Choir movement and loved the chance to do it in this group.

Here is a snippet from that evening:

We gather to sing threshold songs*. We are a ragtag bunch of physical fitness instructors, Mexican housewives, a former singing nun, a landscape gardener, an artist and two cherubic girls, aged eight and 11.

We settle into a song. I muddle my way through in broken Spanish. And this, by grace or by God, creates enough of a doorway in us all. And the tender heart of this glorious eight-year-old sitting next to me on the couch connects with mine. For the rest of the song cycle, she leans on my right shoulder, comforted by my warmth and kindness. And I am, in turn, comforted by her trust and warm radiance. She is an orphan, which is unknown to me. The side she is leaning against is my scarred body side, which is unknown to her. Our bodies and hearts connect and for the rest of the song cycles we both melt and soften into each other. We hold and heal each other. Strangers crossing the threshold.

Threshold held. Threshold opened.

——

Compassion, we probably all could agree, is more important than ever. And, as the gorgeous Sylvia Borstein reminded me a while back in one of her fabulous Wisdom Week talks at Rancho la Puerta on the theme of courage, it’s important to differentiate between biased and unbiased compassion. Biased compassion is easier and is toward our already existing “in“ group and unbiased compassion is toward all beings and takes more cultivation. This latter practice tends to be more challenging.

Unbiased love is much more awake. Alongside this unbiased love for others we can start to see how the love of difficulties and pain and even death can become more integrated into our lives. Not pulling away from what is happening but staying open in an embodied, soulful way. Tolerance when it’s just cerebral will never be genuine. Otherwise there is a disparity between what we espouse cerebrally and cognitively and what our bodies are saying. The electromagnetic message, our transmission is clear, whether we can put our fingers on it or not.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “What is most essential? We are not going to live forever. What meaningful authentic way of being have you engaged in today?””\n
\n
— Katheryn M. Trenshaw
\n
\n\n\n
And with both choirs - the large unsheltered choir or the little threshold choir full of strangers, these small moments, unexpected moments of opening to indiscriminate kindness, not pulled toward out of wanting, not pushed away out of false modesty. Simply being kind and open to those outside our set circle can make living while we are alive more awake.

Speaking of Living Awake, I’m very happy to let you know that I will be starting to offer courses and sessions again. Sloooowly but surely. I am calling it, with pun of course intended, the 'Dying to Live West Coast Tour', beginning in Canada where I'll be joined by my dear friend and collaborator Dr. Lilli Ruth Rosenberg and ending up in Rancho La Puerto. See below for details:

LIVING AWAKE: GRIEF, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE: September 29, 2019 to October 3, 2019 at Hollyhock on Cortez Island - an unparalleled center of learning, connection and cultural transformation. - 4 full day immersion.
PLUS - November 30 to December 7, 2019 at at Rancho la Puerta, the world-renowned fitness and spa retreat in the mountains of Baja California as part of a radical well-being program of offerings.

WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE: WOMEN LIVING WITH AND BEYOND BREAST CANCER: December 7 to 14, 2019 also at the world-renowned Rancho la Puerta.

These events are the bookends of my West Coast 2019 'Dying to Live' Tour. From the end of September through mid December 2019. I am considering Victoria Canada, Whidbey Island and Seattle WA, Portland OR, San Francisco CA, San Diego CA and environs. Contact me if you would like to organise a talk, workshop, an In Your Own Skin event: talk, book signing, film screening- in your West location or to book a private session.

If you’ve been inspired by this blog post, please pass it on to someone else who you feel might appreciate reading it too. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Thank you so so much!

Katheryn

www.katheryntrenshaw.com

Take care, Take Risks

\n
", + "content": "
\n
\n “The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately. ”\n
\n
— SENECA
\n
\n\n\nWe are taught to be anxious about things - future and past. And generally are inclined to spend far too great a percentage of our energy on this fruitless worry. The last few years have given me heaps of opportunities to worry, and I can assure you that I did my fair share. Nothing like the “C word” and “complications” to get a person to go there…. Not to mention all of your friends and acquaintances.

And, this worry is never about now. Right now things are actually just happening, no matter what is actually going on, even though it might be an overarching period of difficulty in your life and the waviness of life is still doing what it does. Life pulses and makes waves. But this moment in time, this moment, this now is actually fine.

When we forget about the natural pulse of life and resist it, we suffer. If you, for instance, take a deep breath and hold it…and KEEP holding it and keep holding it, you will very soon appreciate that in AND OUT are important and welcome. The pulse of breath and life. In and out. Up and down. Summer and Winter. So birth and death are important pulses and natural too.

It’s your life. Don’t miss it.

“I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.” - Mary Oliver

So, how can we find more impartial kindness-for ourselves, for others, for the planet, at this moment in time? How can we support each other-consciously feeling it all: sorrow, rage, confusion, pain, pressure? How can we find enough access to our heart/ centre so that we can be courageous/ heartful? (cœur = heart in French, cor = heart in Latin). How can we listen with our hearts and respond rather than react, accessing our discriminative intelligence?

Simple opportunities arise each and every moment. Two recent opportunities have presented themselves to me involving choirs full of strangers.

Choir invite number 1:

First the background- Three years ago The Voices of Our City Choir was created by an extraordinary friend of mine named Steph Johnson in response to the San Diego housing crisis. She couldn’t bear the homeless crisis in San Diego so she decided to do something about it. To do what she could. Homelessness rose 800% in one year. And, to add insult to injury, homelessness is technically illegal, so it’s a crime to be homeless and therefore punishable.

How could she create a bridge/ a threshold?

The choir was created with the aim to transform the perception and experience of homelessness through the healing power of music and singing together. Things have gone from strength to strength for the choir. It’s now a not-for-profit organisation offering weekly song writing lessons, guitar lessons, and choir practice along with a delicious healthy meal.

The thing I remember most about Steph’s inspiration was that she wanted to create a place where everyone, anyone, at least for an hour, could have the experience of dignity. We all need and deserve dignity. We all need and deserve holding.

A couple of months ago, in San Diego, I had the opportunity at long last, to sing and dance in the aisles with the ‘Voices of our City Choir’ weekly choir practice.

I went along to sing with the choir with 100 strangers who all had a different story. I got to see them perform an arrangement from my choir back in England, with which we have a fledgling song exchange going. I felt like I was at the best, most rocking jazz-gospel-dance extravaganza that I’ve been to in a very long time. So much love. So much generosity. So much life. Surrounded by strangers, all of whom I fell in love with. Living Awake.

Threshold held. Threshold opened.

——

Choir invite number 2: I was recently invited to a bilingual threshold choir rehearsal at Rancho la Puerta in Baja. I love the Threshold Choir movement and loved the chance to do it in this group.

Here is a snippet from that evening:

We gather to sing threshold songs*. We are a ragtag bunch of physical fitness instructors, Mexican housewives, a former singing nun, a landscape gardener, an artist and two cherubic girls, aged eight and 11.

We settle into a song. I muddle my way through in broken Spanish. And this, by grace or by God, creates enough of a doorway in us all. And the tender heart of this glorious eight-year-old sitting next to me on the couch connects with mine. For the rest of the song cycle, she leans on my right shoulder, comforted by my warmth and kindness. And I am, in turn, comforted by her trust and warm radiance. She is an orphan, which is unknown to me. The side she is leaning against is my scarred body side, which is unknown to her. Our bodies and hearts connect and for the rest of the song cycles we both melt and soften into each other. We hold and heal each other. Strangers crossing the threshold.

Threshold held. Threshold opened.

——

Compassion, we probably all could agree, is more important than ever. And, as the gorgeous Sylvia Borstein reminded me a while back in one of her fabulous Wisdom Week talks at Rancho la Puerta on the theme of courage, it’s important to differentiate between biased and unbiased compassion. Biased compassion is easier and is toward our already existing “in“ group and unbiased compassion is toward all beings and takes more cultivation. This latter practice tends to be more challenging.

Unbiased love is much more awake. Alongside this unbiased love for others we can start to see how the love of difficulties and pain and even death can become more integrated into our lives. Not pulling away from what is happening but staying open in an embodied, soulful way. Tolerance when it’s just cerebral will never be genuine. Otherwise there is a disparity between what we espouse cerebrally and cognitively and what our bodies are saying. The electromagnetic message, our transmission is clear, whether we can put our fingers on it or not.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “What is most essential? We are not going to live forever. What meaningful authentic way of being have you engaged in today?””\n
\n
— Katheryn M. Trenshaw
\n
\n\n\nAnd with both choirs - the large unsheltered choir or the little threshold choir full of strangers, these small moments, unexpected moments of opening to indiscriminate kindness, not pulled toward out of wanting, not pushed away out of false modesty. Simply being kind and open to those outside our set circle can make living while we are alive more awake.

Speaking of Living Awake, I’m very happy to let you know that I will be starting to offer courses and sessions again. Sloooowly but surely. I am calling it, with pun of course intended, the 'Dying to Live West Coast Tour', beginning in Canada where I'll be joined by my dear friend and collaborator Dr. Lilli Ruth Rosenberg and ending up in Rancho La Puerto. See below for details:

LIVING AWAKE: GRIEF, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE: September 29, 2019 to October 3, 2019 at Hollyhock on Cortez Island - an unparalleled center of learning, connection and cultural transformation. - 4 full day immersion.
PLUS - November 30 to December 7, 2019 at at Rancho la Puerta, the world-renowned fitness and spa retreat in the mountains of Baja California as part of a radical well-being program of offerings.

WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE: WOMEN LIVING WITH AND BEYOND BREAST CANCER: December 7 to 14, 2019 also at the world-renowned Rancho la Puerta.

These events are the bookends of my West Coast 2019 'Dying to Live' Tour. From the end of September through mid December 2019. I am considering Victoria Canada, Whidbey Island and Seattle WA, Portland OR, San Francisco CA, San Diego CA and environs. Contact me if you would like to organise a talk, workshop, an In Your Own Skin event: talk, book signing, film screening- in your West location or to book a private session.

If you’ve been inspired by this blog post, please pass it on to someone else who you feel might appreciate reading it too. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Thank you so so much!

Katheryn

www.katheryntrenshaw.com

Take care, Take Risks

", "excerpt": "“ The whole future lies in uncertainty: live immediately. ” — SENECA We are taught to be anxious about things - future and past. And generally are inclined to spend far too great a percentage...", "featuredImage": null, "images": [], @@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ "title": "Courageous New Beginnings", "slug": "courageous-new-beginnings", "link": "/blog/2018/5/16/courageous-new-beginnings", - "content": "
\n
\n “Release your grip, and then you slip, into reality.”\n
\n
— Leonard Cohen
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
This is a simple post to reach out, connect and perhaps even touch your curiosity and your heart. For me, I appreciate courageous acts more than ever before. I am so very grateful for those of you who have reached out, sent prayers and love or held me kindly in your thoughts. Thank you so much!

And the simple act of sending out the first blog post after my health sabbatical feels very courageous indeed. So here I am. I am here simply offering a voice for radical authentic well-being.

I have taken much needed time to attend to my health and life and love on every level and things are beginning to shift now. Slowly, my life is changing and I'm not only still alive but more alive and more grateful than ever.

I will start to post blogs again and offer inspirations, as well as opportunities to collect fabulous art. And in the not too distant future I will offer one-to-one sessions and workshops as well. Slowly and simply. We can all do with more slow and simple in our lives. I certainly am a proponent of that more than ever.

How do YOU live your best life? What supports YOUR depth of presence and well-being best? How does love live through you?

Do not pretend that The Longing
has not also lived in you,
swinging like a pendulum.
You have been lost,
and thieved like a criminal
your Heart
into that darkness.
But life is tired, Deep Friend,
of going on
without you.
It is like the hand of the mother
who has lost the child.
And if you are anything like me, you have been afraid.
And if you are anything like me,
you have known your own courage.
There is room in this boat:
take your seat.
Take up your paddle, and all of us
– All of us –
shall row our hearts
back
Home.
- Em Claire

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
The In Your Own Skin book is still available. Over the last two years I still managed to offer In Your Own Skin film screenings, book signings and workshops in San Francisco, California, Whidby island, Washington and in Victoria Canada.

Over this time I have been gifted with some very precious gifts, merging on \"super powers\" to be able to more fully appreciate what matters, and the profundity of living in your own skin-fully present, simply, alive and openhearted.

My life and work as an inspiratrice and evocateur of presence and possibility is more clear than ever.

So, dear friends, Let's celebrate how precious life is. And let the light shine in and out of our fabulous radiant lives.

Take care. Take risks,

Katheryn

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Be brave enough to break your own heart.”\n
\n
— Cheryl Strayed
\n
", + "content": "
\n
\n “Release your grip, and then you slip, into reality.”\n
\n
— Leonard Cohen
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nThis is a simple post to reach out, connect and perhaps even touch your curiosity and your heart. For me, I appreciate courageous acts more than ever before. I am so very grateful for those of you who have reached out, sent prayers and love or held me kindly in your thoughts. Thank you so much!

And the simple act of sending out the first blog post after my health sabbatical feels very courageous indeed. So here I am. I am here simply offering a voice for radical authentic well-being.

I have taken much needed time to attend to my health and life and love on every level and things are beginning to shift now. Slowly, my life is changing and I'm not only still alive but more alive and more grateful than ever.

I will start to post blogs again and offer inspirations, as well as opportunities to collect fabulous art. And in the not too distant future I will offer one-to-one sessions and workshops as well. Slowly and simply. We can all do with more slow and simple in our lives. I certainly am a proponent of that more than ever.

How do YOU live your best life? What supports YOUR depth of presence and well-being best? How does love live through you?

Do not pretend that The Longing
has not also lived in you,
swinging like a pendulum.
You have been lost,
and thieved like a criminal
your Heart
into that darkness.
But life is tired, Deep Friend,
of going on
without you.
It is like the hand of the mother
who has lost the child.
And if you are anything like me, you have been afraid.
And if you are anything like me,
you have known your own courage.
There is room in this boat:
take your seat.
Take up your paddle, and all of us
– All of us –
shall row our hearts
back
Home.
- Em Claire

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nThe In Your Own Skin book is still available. Over the last two years I still managed to offer In Your Own Skin film screenings, book signings and workshops in San Francisco, California, Whidby island, Washington and in Victoria Canada.

Over this time I have been gifted with some very precious gifts, merging on \"super powers\" to be able to more fully appreciate what matters, and the profundity of living in your own skin-fully present, simply, alive and openhearted.

My life and work as an inspiratrice and evocateur of presence and possibility is more clear than ever.

So, dear friends, Let's celebrate how precious life is. And let the light shine in and out of our fabulous radiant lives.

Take care. Take risks,

Katheryn

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Be brave enough to break your own heart.”\n
\n
— Cheryl Strayed
\n
", "excerpt": "“ Release your grip, and then you slip, into reality. ” — Leonard Cohen This is a simple post to reach out, connect and perhaps even touch your curiosity and your heart. For me, I appreciate...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1526509206890-78KVAF6SSL9ZXSWZTQK5/IMG_04691.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ "title": "At the Stillpoint", "slug": "at-the-stillpoint", "link": "/blog/2018/5/7/at-the-stillpoint", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"349\"]\" Katheryn Trenshaw - \"At the Stillpoint\" [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
My toddler son and my husband had all just come off of a long and wonderful camp we ran together on dartmoor in England for 12 years in wild spaces off grid for about 100 hearty folks to celebrate their bodies and living together in good company. We spent much of these 2 weeks barefoot and smelling of woodsmoke. We ate food we prepared over an open fire and offered all of our favourite activities: Singing, Art-making, Ritual, Qi Gong, Yoga and so much more. I love this work and the way nature has her way with you… clearing out the cobwebs and arteries and psychic muck that gets accumulated in the day to day.

On the way home we stopped by a lovely glade in the woods and we were all enjoying splashing around in the river, cooling off on an unusually hot day and laughing. As we stood and relished the sunshine on our happy faces, the dragonflies all alighted on us. We each were blessed with 3 – 6 of them on our arms and heads. I had never seen anything like this before or since, but the experience never left me. It felt like a blessing. I felt simply and wholly beloved on the earth. And like there was nothing left to do. Only be.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “And did you get what you wanted from this life even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.”\n
\n
— Raymond Carver, Late Fragment
\n
", + "content": "
\"
Katheryn Trenshaw - \"At the Stillpoint\"
\n \n\n\n\nMy toddler son and my husband had all just come off of a long and wonderful camp we ran together on dartmoor in England for 12 years in wild spaces off grid for about 100 hearty folks to celebrate their bodies and living together in good company. We spent much of these 2 weeks barefoot and smelling of woodsmoke. We ate food we prepared over an open fire and offered all of our favourite activities: Singing, Art-making, Ritual, Qi Gong, Yoga and so much more. I love this work and the way nature has her way with you… clearing out the cobwebs and arteries and psychic muck that gets accumulated in the day to day.

On the way home we stopped by a lovely glade in the woods and we were all enjoying splashing around in the river, cooling off on an unusually hot day and laughing. As we stood and relished the sunshine on our happy faces, the dragonflies all alighted on us. We each were blessed with 3 – 6 of them on our arms and heads. I had never seen anything like this before or since, but the experience never left me. It felt like a blessing. I felt simply and wholly beloved on the earth. And like there was nothing left to do. Only be.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “And did you get what you wanted from this life even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.”\n
\n
— Raymond Carver, Late Fragment
\n
", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"349\"] Katheryn Trenshaw - \"At the Stillpoint\" [/caption] My toddler son and my husband had all just come off of a long and wonderful camp we ran together on...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1525724320169-KUC7FKZM826MTHB5PDEC/At+the+Stillpoint?format=original", "images": [ @@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ "title": "Juliet Russell at the Barrelhouse : In Your Own Skin Fundraiser", "slug": "juliet-russell-at-the-barrelhouse-in-your-own-skin-fundraiser", "link": "/blog/2018/5/7/juliet-russell-at-the-barrelhouse-in-your-own-skin-fundraiser", - "content": "
Don’t Forget, You don’t want to miss … Juliet Russell at the Barrelhouse THIS SUNDAY! Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin project bring you a fantastic evening on the 31st of May that you will not want to miss! Get your tickets now before they sell out.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n

Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin project bring you a fantastic evening on the 31st of May that you will not want to miss!

Get your tickets now before they sell out.

An Exclusive EVENING:!
Dancing, music, art & film with!
JULIET RUSSELL BBC 1’s The Voice
coach with music from her new album Earth.
Meets Sky fusing electronica, folk & soul with beautifully layered vocals. She has performed with Damon Albarn, Yoko Ono, Paloma Faith. Plus art & film by Katheryn Trenshaw

Who: In Your Own Skin Fundraising Event
When: 31st May 2015
Where: Barrelhouse, Totnes, Devon
Time: Doors Open 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £15.00 in advance or £17.00 on door
Book: eventbrite.com & Barrelhouse !!

\n
", + "content": "Don’t Forget, You don’t want to miss … Juliet Russell at the Barrelhouse THIS SUNDAY! Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin project bring you a fantastic evening on the 31st of May that you will not want to miss! Get your tickets now before they sell out.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\n
Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin project bring you a fantastic evening on the 31st of May that you will not want to miss!

Get your tickets now before they sell out.

An Exclusive EVENING:!
Dancing, music, art & film with!
JULIET RUSSELL BBC 1’s The Voice
coach with music from her new album Earth.
Meets Sky fusing electronica, folk & soul with beautifully layered vocals. She has performed with Damon Albarn, Yoko Ono, Paloma Faith. Plus art & film by Katheryn Trenshaw

Who: In Your Own Skin Fundraising Event
When: 31st May 2015
Where: Barrelhouse, Totnes, Devon
Time: Doors Open 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Tickets: £15.00 in advance or £17.00 on door
Book: eventbrite.com & Barrelhouse !!

", "excerpt": "Don’t Forget, You don’t want to miss … Juliet Russell at the Barrelhouse THIS SUNDAY! Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin project bring you a fantastic evening on the 31st of May that you will not...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1525724237838-B9QDHQSNLQACU83F5T1R/Juliet-Russell-Barrelhouse-2015-1024x850.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -398,7 +398,7 @@ "title": "Practice of Awe", "slug": "practice-of-awe", "link": "/blog/2018/5/7/practice-of-awe", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"359\"]\" Katheryn Trenshaw - \"Practice of Awe\" [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n

This is one of the most magical places on the planet for me. Bright pink and green carpets of heather flow over the land while pungent earthy peat and coconut scented Gorse fill the air. Stone circles and megalithic sites pierce the moody skies. And strong winds clear cobwebs from my heart and carry ravens to me and my meditative space here.

What does the raven ponder as she lands atop the holed stone of the Men-an-tol Stone Circle in Cornwall which inspires this image? Does she wonder at all how it was made? Does she try and figure out the logistics of how it was carved and placed and the uses for which it was constructed? Or does she just sit atop the stone and enjoy the breeze, the warm air, the damp mist rising from the heather and peat below her? Does she simply follow her instincts? Do ravens feel awe? I have the feeling that it may just be us human animals who have forgotten and maybe lost our way a bit from here…and we are trying to find our way home.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Creativity is the practice of awe.”\n
\n
— MC Richards, Lecture at Creation Spirituality Center, San Francisco 1999
\n
", + "content": "
\"
Katheryn Trenshaw - \"Practice of Awe\"
\n \n\n\n\n

This is one of the most magical places on the planet for me. Bright pink and green carpets of heather flow over the land while pungent earthy peat and coconut scented Gorse fill the air. Stone circles and megalithic sites pierce the moody skies. And strong winds clear cobwebs from my heart and carry ravens to me and my meditative space here.

What does the raven ponder as she lands atop the holed stone of the Men-an-tol Stone Circle in Cornwall which inspires this image? Does she wonder at all how it was made? Does she try and figure out the logistics of how it was carved and placed and the uses for which it was constructed? Or does she just sit atop the stone and enjoy the breeze, the warm air, the damp mist rising from the heather and peat below her? Does she simply follow her instincts? Do ravens feel awe? I have the feeling that it may just be us human animals who have forgotten and maybe lost our way a bit from here…and we are trying to find our way home.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Creativity is the practice of awe.”\n
\n
— MC Richards, Lecture at Creation Spirituality Center, San Francisco 1999
\n
", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"359\"] Katheryn Trenshaw - \"Practice of Awe\" [/caption] This is one of the most magical places on the planet for me. Bright pink and green carpets of heather...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1525724545800-7XM91Z4FFQP6DXN805XR/1015PracticeofAwe.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ "title": "Sunshine", "slug": "sunshine", "link": "/blog/2018/1/22/sunshine", - "content": "
Been playing, gardening, working and cycling in the glorious sunshine this week. Amazing! Wondrous! Delicious! Feels like Spring has sprung. The sparkling frog spawn is adorning the pond plants and edges like necklaces. The birdsong just before Dawn announces longer days I hunger for at last. And the snowdrops, daffodils and grape hyacinths sing their colourful songs as well. How glorious that we have the seasons to remind us that there is always a pulse to living. And that one thing dies so that other things can arise. And this is living. This pulse. This heartbeat.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Everything is illuminated in the light of the past. It is always along the side of us… On the inside looking out… Inside out.”\n
\n
— From the film 'Everything is Illuminated'
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "Been playing, gardening, working and cycling in the glorious sunshine this week. Amazing! Wondrous! Delicious! Feels like Spring has sprung. The sparkling frog spawn is adorning the pond plants and edges like necklaces. The birdsong just before Dawn announces longer days I hunger for at last. And the snowdrops, daffodils and grape hyacinths sing their colourful songs as well. How glorious that we have the seasons to remind us that there is always a pulse to living. And that one thing dies so that other things can arise. And this is living. This pulse. This heartbeat. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Everything is illuminated in the light of the past. It is always along the side of us… On the inside looking out… Inside out.”\n
\n
— From the film 'Everything is Illuminated'
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "Been playing, gardening, working and cycling in the glorious sunshine this week. Amazing! Wondrous! Delicious! Feels like Spring has sprung. The sparkling frog spawn is adorning the pond plants and...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1545492062983-WI1EKBJJHBBYW0EWPVUJ/1291ButterflyDreaming.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ "title": "Back & Forth Between The Worlds", "slug": "back-amp-forth-between-the-worlds", "link": "/blog/2018/1/22/back-amp-forth-between-the-worlds", - "content": "
Back and forth. Up and down. In and out. I cherish my capacity to be multi-faceted and flexible. I love the improvisation and creativity that comes with this practice. Perhaps it is just me asserting my right to be paradoxical especially as a woman. I love this dance with the non-dualistic. And, this dance has given my many opportunities and privileges. I have had the great joy of living and teaching in the Netherlands for many years. And there, they have a fine old tradition of face-painting which they call Shmink. I once met a woman in Limburg at a colourful summer street fair who had painted her own face to look like a face looking in another direction. It was clever and eerie and a bit disturbing even. This image never left me and the portrait I had taken of her hung out in my studio for a good decade. My fascination was to do with the visual embodiment of duality. I know so well the feeling of being a part of two very different realities at the same time. Here, I explore both the harmony and the discord that result. Mostly I enjoy the access between the worlds and the freedom that it affords me.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “The Celtic cross never focused on the death of Christ, but on the capacity to go back and forth between the worlds.”\n
\n
— Maureen Murdock, The Heroine’s Journey
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "Back and forth. Up and down. In and out. I cherish my capacity to be multi-faceted and flexible. I love the improvisation and creativity that comes with this practice. Perhaps it is just me asserting my right to be paradoxical especially as a woman. I love this dance with the non-dualistic. And, this dance has given my many opportunities and privileges. I have had the great joy of living and teaching in the Netherlands for many years. And there, they have a fine old tradition of face-painting which they call Shmink. I once met a woman in Limburg at a colourful summer street fair who had painted her own face to look like a face looking in another direction. It was clever and eerie and a bit disturbing even. This image never left me and the portrait I had taken of her hung out in my studio for a good decade. My fascination was to do with the visual embodiment of duality. I know so well the feeling of being a part of two very different realities at the same time. Here, I explore both the harmony and the discord that result. Mostly I enjoy the access between the worlds and the freedom that it affords me.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “The Celtic cross never focused on the death of Christ, but on the capacity to go back and forth between the worlds.”\n
\n
— Maureen Murdock, The Heroine’s Journey
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "Back and forth. Up and down. In and out. I cherish my capacity to be multi-faceted and flexible. I love the improvisation and creativity that comes with this practice. Perhaps it is just me asserting...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1545491755589-MA9UUA94NHC46GSJS88G/1110BackAndForthBetwWorlds-2.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ "title": "Come Out & Play", "slug": "come-out-amp-play", "link": "/blog/2018/12/22/come-out-amp-play", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
My childhood bedroom was covered in colorful murals that I painted when I was 9. The images were basically a wetland scene full of a giant pond bursting with iridescent green dragonflies, fat cat tails, ladybirds, exotic magenta flowers, bright cobalt beetles and a cast of a thousand other creatures with wings or fur or feathers wrapping around the entry way to my calendula colored room. Perhaps this is why I never chose to have any imaginary friends back then, though I always fancied the idea. I painted and sculpted worlds all the time. Both seem like good creative solution to many a childhood situation where you would like options or simply want an expanded world. As an adult I seem to be more free to enjoy the luxury of un abashedly welcoming totem guides, and especially a raven accomplis and guide to join me in my travels and dreams. I love the idea of having a wise yet lighthearted playmate that will pull me out of my seriousness when it gets too thick and reminds me to take to the sky, breathe, and play more.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “According to the ancient Chinese view, the genuine human being – one whose heart is awake to reality – is born in this intersection of heaven and earth.”\n
\n \n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nMy childhood bedroom was covered in colorful murals that I painted when I was 9. The images were basically a wetland scene full of a giant pond bursting with iridescent green dragonflies, fat cat tails, ladybirds, exotic magenta flowers, bright cobalt beetles and a cast of a thousand other creatures with wings or fur or feathers wrapping around the entry way to my calendula colored room. Perhaps this is why I never chose to have any imaginary friends back then, though I always fancied the idea. I painted and sculpted worlds all the time. Both seem like good creative solution to many a childhood situation where you would like options or simply want an expanded world. As an adult I seem to be more free to enjoy the luxury of un abashedly welcoming totem guides, and especially a raven accomplis and guide to join me in my travels and dreams. I love the idea of having a wise yet lighthearted playmate that will pull me out of my seriousness when it gets too thick and reminds me to take to the sky, breathe, and play more.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “According to the ancient Chinese view, the genuine human being – one whose heart is awake to reality – is born in this intersection of heaven and earth.”\n
\n \n
", "excerpt": "My childhood bedroom was covered in colorful murals that I painted when I was 9. The images were basically a wetland scene full of a giant pond bursting with iridescent green dragonflies, fat cat...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1545491347855-Y7TIWF4A93BRVKQ2XRS6/1108ComeOutPlay.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ "title": "Freedom in Tight Places", "slug": "freedom-in-tight-places", "link": "/blog/2018/1/22/freedom-in-tight-places", - "content": "
This little clip turns me on!…and wanted to share it with you…
I love the idea of freedom in tight places.. of all sorts. Plus I love to dance and this is really a great short sweet example of what the body can do given restrictions….
And this reminds me of being in changing times like now… personally and collectively. There are restrictions and within those there is freedom as limits and a kind of flight.
Happy Midsummer opening to love and flight in our juicy hearts!
x x x

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ", + "content": "This little clip turns me on!…and wanted to share it with you…
I love the idea of freedom in tight places.. of all sorts. Plus I love to dance and this is really a great short sweet example of what the body can do given restrictions….
And this reminds me of being in changing times like now… personally and collectively. There are restrictions and within those there is freedom as limits and a kind of flight.
Happy Midsummer opening to love and flight in our juicy hearts!
x x x\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ", "excerpt": "This little clip turns me on!…and wanted to share it with you… I love the idea of freedom in tight places.. of all sorts. Plus I love to dance and this is really a great short sweet example of what...", "featuredImage": null, "images": [], @@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ "title": "Wisdom Often Comes in Simple Places", "slug": "na1vgujuxcyrca0kkqm1zhzicvllgp", "link": "/blog/2018/1/22/na1vgujuxcyrca0kkqm1zhzicvllgp", - "content": "
A friend of mine spotted a car bumper sticker recently saying: “if you lived in your heart, you’d be home right now”. This makes me grin from ear to ear. Always good to have humour AND consciousness! Welcome home… every moment. You are already there.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “if you lived in your heart, you’d be home right now”\n
\n
— Car Bumper Sticker
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "A friend of mine spotted a car bumper sticker recently saying: “if you lived in your heart, you’d be home right now”. This makes me grin from ear to ear. Always good to have humour AND consciousness! Welcome home… every moment. You are already there.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “if you lived in your heart, you’d be home right now”\n
\n
— Car Bumper Sticker
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "A friend of mine spotted a car bumper sticker recently saying: “if you lived in your heart, you’d be home right now”. This makes me grin from ear to ear. Always good to have humour AND consciousness!...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1545492601435-0ZZDK2WKXNT3XNO0FKOX/PPCCE_FB-post-Home-Bumper-Sticker300w.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ "title": "Makers Creating Resilience: Re-Skilling Our Communities & Lives", "slug": "makers-creating-resilience-re-skilling-our-communities-amp-lives", "link": "/blog/2018/1/22/makers-creating-resilience-re-skilling-our-communities-amp-lives", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
One of the things that has made the biggest impact on my life and sanity has been an ongoing practice as a maker. This could be sewing or straw-bale building as well as cooking delicious meals, baking, or preserving jams or pestos from the garden. My hands NEED to create and these engaging activities keep their making capacity well-oiled. It keeps me happy and healthy and is a part of the wealth I hold in my life. It gives me a natural access to beauty and nature….and community. I often share these activities with friends and neighbours as well. Picking fruit with a neighbour, selectively coppicing a tree with a skilled friend, baking bread with my son, foraging seaweed with like-minded strangers. These things keeps my innate intelligence engaged.
Simply stated, making something with our hands grounds us and helps build relationships. Renate Hiller has resiliency skills set! She speaks to eloquently about this that I simply had to share her. I think that what she has to say and the WAY she says it offers us such grace in the midst of madness. I love her calm and simple magnificence.. and those same qualities that are part of being a maker. She has a calm passionate presence that I adore and suspect you, too, will recongnize and appreciate.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Our destiny is written in the hand”\n
\n
— Renate Hiller, co-director of the Fiber Craft Studio at the Threefold Educational Center in Chestnut Ridge, New York
\n
\n\n\n
Practicing mindfulness. Paying attention. Listening generously.
Let me know what YOU think and what activities you do that keep your hands connecting you and resilient.
Have a great day!

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nOne of the things that has made the biggest impact on my life and sanity has been an ongoing practice as a maker. This could be sewing or straw-bale building as well as cooking delicious meals, baking, or preserving jams or pestos from the garden. My hands NEED to create and these engaging activities keep their making capacity well-oiled. It keeps me happy and healthy and is a part of the wealth I hold in my life. It gives me a natural access to beauty and nature….and community. I often share these activities with friends and neighbours as well. Picking fruit with a neighbour, selectively coppicing a tree with a skilled friend, baking bread with my son, foraging seaweed with like-minded strangers. These things keeps my innate intelligence engaged.
Simply stated, making something with our hands grounds us and helps build relationships. Renate Hiller has resiliency skills set! She speaks to eloquently about this that I simply had to share her. I think that what she has to say and the WAY she says it offers us such grace in the midst of madness. I love her calm and simple magnificence.. and those same qualities that are part of being a maker. She has a calm passionate presence that I adore and suspect you, too, will recongnize and appreciate.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Our destiny is written in the hand”\n
\n
— Renate Hiller, co-director of the Fiber Craft Studio at the Threefold Educational Center in Chestnut Ridge, New York
\n
\n\n\nPracticing mindfulness. Paying attention. Listening generously.
Let me know what YOU think and what activities you do that keep your hands connecting you and resilient.
Have a great day!", "excerpt": "One of the things that has made the biggest impact on my life and sanity has been an ongoing practice as a maker. This could be sewing or straw-bale building as well as cooking delicious meals,...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1545493051337-8212DC8D9N6A20DEDWVL/IMG_1303-450x600.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ "title": "Women, Remember to Live in Your Own Skin", "slug": "women-remember-to-live-in-your-own-skin", "link": "/blog/2014/3/20/women-remember-to-live-in-your-own-skin", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Life is a messy business full of forgetting and “failures” of a thousand kinds. And yet…there is a sovereignty that is often forgotten that I want to remind you of. There is a wildness, that has been anaesthetised and reviled that I want to hold sacred as it is. There is often contraction and fear where there used to be freedom and love. I want to be free. I want you to be free too. There is a living that is here to be reclaimed and remembered here and now. And there are ways to re-connect with our innate wildness and natural intelligence that are so simple and effective that they are easy to dismiss, but I am here to remember these again and again and again.

There is a wildness, that has been anaesthetised and reviled
that I want to hold sacred as it is.

My whole life is a testament to this remembering. And forgetting. I forget over and over and stumble and fall… Stand up, dust off my backside, and carry on again. Then I remember. Practice. It takes so much practice. Decades of practice are just the beginning.

For International women’s day and in honor of the recent V-day One Billion Rising Campaign, which featured the In Your Own Skin Project and new IYOS Banners, I am focused on a particular area of this sovereign inquiry. Around the world people are rising to end violence against women and children. As part of this I want to explore questions related to how to remember our innate wildness and be a natural force of love in action:

“How are we supporting each other, in community and particularly as women collectively and individually?”

“How can we bring ourselves more fully into our being and bodies to be part of the great re-member-ing?”

This is a simple sacred community conversation and well-being creation. Will you join in the conversation?

Re-member-ing. Putting pieces back together that have been broken apart, separated or led to believe they do not belong together. Re-membering body, kith and kin, wisdom. I make it my passion to stir those embers of remembering and engage the stirring of natural wisdom so that we can all be more whole together. We can do this most effectively through creative expression like movement of being, creative inquiry, portraiture as well as dynamic sharing with other women. Will you join in the exploration?

How did we forget that we are indeed made of stardust, mystery and wonder? Our presence here is an erotic blessing. There is a threshold to cross into remembering. Shall we dance over? Will you join in the dance?

How would your life be different if this kind of exploration was normal? You get to find out. Come be a part of the dialogue and creating well-being. Explore and inquire into your magnificent
vulnerable wild life as a woman. Be real, whole, present… You.

Katheryn Trenshaw, creative director of The Passionate Presence Centre for Creative Expression is offering a new series of courses in Totnes for small group of women. The focus is on remembering to live in Your Own Skin.

In these new series’ of eves, (a follow on event from V-day) women are invited to gather together to explore, heal and remember together with an experienced facilitator who is passionate about the simple but sometimes difficult phenomenon of living in your own skin and remembering deep simple natural wisdom through somatic creative processes.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nLife is a messy business full of forgetting and “failures” of a thousand kinds. And yet…there is a sovereignty that is often forgotten that I want to remind you of. There is a wildness, that has been anaesthetised and reviled that I want to hold sacred as it is. There is often contraction and fear where there used to be freedom and love. I want to be free. I want you to be free too. There is a living that is here to be reclaimed and remembered here and now. And there are ways to re-connect with our innate wildness and natural intelligence that are so simple and effective that they are easy to dismiss, but I am here to remember these again and again and again.

There is a wildness, that has been anaesthetised and reviled
that I want to hold sacred as it is.

My whole life is a testament to this remembering. And forgetting. I forget over and over and stumble and fall… Stand up, dust off my backside, and carry on again. Then I remember. Practice. It takes so much practice. Decades of practice are just the beginning.

For International women’s day and in honor of the recent V-day One Billion Rising Campaign, which featured the In Your Own Skin Project and new IYOS Banners, I am focused on a particular area of this sovereign inquiry. Around the world people are rising to end violence against women and children. As part of this I want to explore questions related to how to remember our innate wildness and be a natural force of love in action:

“How are we supporting each other, in community and particularly as women collectively and individually?”

“How can we bring ourselves more fully into our being and bodies to be part of the great re-member-ing?”

This is a simple sacred community conversation and well-being creation. Will you join in the conversation?

Re-member-ing. Putting pieces back together that have been broken apart, separated or led to believe they do not belong together. Re-membering body, kith and kin, wisdom. I make it my passion to stir those embers of remembering and engage the stirring of natural wisdom so that we can all be more whole together. We can do this most effectively through creative expression like movement of being, creative inquiry, portraiture as well as dynamic sharing with other women. Will you join in the exploration?

How did we forget that we are indeed made of stardust, mystery and wonder? Our presence here is an erotic blessing. There is a threshold to cross into remembering. Shall we dance over? Will you join in the dance?

How would your life be different if this kind of exploration was normal? You get to find out. Come be a part of the dialogue and creating well-being. Explore and inquire into your magnificent
vulnerable wild life as a woman. Be real, whole, present… You.

Katheryn Trenshaw, creative director of The Passionate Presence Centre for Creative Expression is offering a new series of courses in Totnes for small group of women. The focus is on remembering to live in Your Own Skin.

In these new series’ of eves, (a follow on event from V-day) women are invited to gather together to explore, heal and remember together with an experienced facilitator who is passionate about the simple but sometimes difficult phenomenon of living in your own skin and remembering deep simple natural wisdom through somatic creative processes.

", "excerpt": "Life is a messy business full of forgetting and “failures” of a thousand kinds. And yet…there is a sovereignty that is often forgotten that I want to remind you of. There is a wildness, that has been...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550243912192-AI5CGVA7VP06VOUFAUVL/KTrenshaw-Rembering-580x435.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ "title": "Life is too short to...", "slug": "life-is-too-short-to", "link": "/blog/2014/1/15/life-is-too-short-to", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Life is too short to… Be in a hurry.

I am reminded of a quote I saw recently in a spa in Germany. It translated something like:

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Life is too short to be in a hurry”\n
\n
— Schubert
\n
\n\n\n
I could not agree more.
I thought you would appreciate this:
http://transitionvoice.com/2014/01/not-enough-time-to-hurry/

Have a great slow day…. and let’s see what we can do to end this more subtle level of violence.

More on how to slow down and be present and STILL get all that matters to youdone. Come to a One -to-One session and see what it’s all about.



\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nLife is too short to… Be in a hurry.

I am reminded of a quote I saw recently in a spa in Germany. It translated something like:

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Life is too short to be in a hurry”\n
\n
— Schubert
\n
\n\n\nI could not agree more.
I thought you would appreciate this:
http://transitionvoice.com/2014/01/not-enough-time-to-hurry/

Have a great slow day…. and let’s see what we can do to end this more subtle level of violence.

More on how to slow down and be present and STILL get all that matters to youdone. Come to a One -to-One session and see what it’s all about.

", "excerpt": "Life is too short to… Be in a hurry. I am reminded of a quote I saw recently in a spa in Germany. It translated something like: “ Life is too short to be in a hurry ” — Schubert I could not...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550244248851-0CIRHSQ9RC2UVWIVNUKZ/IMG_6202-580x142.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ "title": "Hidden Treasures", "slug": "hidden-treasures", "link": "/blog/2013/10/31/hidden-treasures", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"580\"]\" Day of Our Dead [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
The season has officially changed. The air feels different. And over the last few mornings, the hedge along the left side of my back garden is covered in hundreds of beautiful spider webs revealed by the morning mists. These intricate webs are like hidden treasures. They were there before, but only in these misty autumn mornings are they revealed like jewels amidst the deep greens.

And today is Hallowmas followed swiftly by The Day of the Dead, or like I now prefer to call it, The Day of OUR Dead. Traditional people all around the world take a day (or 5) each year to simply honor their family’s and community’s dead. These are simple, powerful, fun and important rites in cultures that are not death phobic like much of the “modern” world of forgetting. And I am here, on Halloween eve, honoring MY dead. I am so grateful for the wealth these folks have given me, and I thank them for their unique gifts and for being in my cells still. I honor my father for his passion and tremendous courage that he instilled also in me. I honor my friend Nigel who inspired in me a special brand of beauty through song. I honor my great grandmother who valued education for women well before her time. And on and on the gratitudes flow. It is deeply comforting and extremely enlivening. It’s a bit like having a party in fact.

It is said that the veil is the thinnest between the worlds on this day of the year. And with that, I feel the access we hold to bridge our lives more fully with the inevitable and beautiful connection our living holds to our dying. This guaranteed death is inspiring. This inevitable death awareness helps, if we let it, to become better people with greater presence.

One way you can be more present and tap into these hidden treasures is to be more real and authentic .You take off some of your masks to reveal hidden treasures. Paradoxically, uncovering the naked truth in our stories and our vulnerability holds some of the deepest richest most beautiful treasures you possess. When you remove some of your masks, you liberate beauty. Your well honed “defense system” served you well when you needed it, but now it constricts and hinders your truest expression and vitality. It seems like a paradox, but it is really simply more of inclusiveness. If you want to be free, you have to be willing to be true and perfectly imperfectly real.

In living with the FACT you and we all WILL die, guaranteed, you are liberated to stop waiting… for what would be, should be, could be… and become free to be here now as you are. The vitality that this holds is vast and easy to underestimate. Hidden Treasures again.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

-Brene Brown

With the deconstruction of your stories, you are able to remember/reclaim/reveal what is true. Hidden Treasures, like gold and diamonds, are found just beneath the mask.

What are your hidden treasures you are willing to reveal this Hallowmas?

\n
", + "content": "
\"
Day of Our Dead
\n \n\n\n\nThe season has officially changed. The air feels different. And over the last few mornings, the hedge along the left side of my back garden is covered in hundreds of beautiful spider webs revealed by the morning mists. These intricate webs are like hidden treasures. They were there before, but only in these misty autumn mornings are they revealed like jewels amidst the deep greens.

And today is Hallowmas followed swiftly by The Day of the Dead, or like I now prefer to call it, The Day of OUR Dead. Traditional people all around the world take a day (or 5) each year to simply honor their family’s and community’s dead. These are simple, powerful, fun and important rites in cultures that are not death phobic like much of the “modern” world of forgetting. And I am here, on Halloween eve, honoring MY dead. I am so grateful for the wealth these folks have given me, and I thank them for their unique gifts and for being in my cells still. I honor my father for his passion and tremendous courage that he instilled also in me. I honor my friend Nigel who inspired in me a special brand of beauty through song. I honor my great grandmother who valued education for women well before her time. And on and on the gratitudes flow. It is deeply comforting and extremely enlivening. It’s a bit like having a party in fact.

It is said that the veil is the thinnest between the worlds on this day of the year. And with that, I feel the access we hold to bridge our lives more fully with the inevitable and beautiful connection our living holds to our dying. This guaranteed death is inspiring. This inevitable death awareness helps, if we let it, to become better people with greater presence.

One way you can be more present and tap into these hidden treasures is to be more real and authentic .You take off some of your masks to reveal hidden treasures. Paradoxically, uncovering the naked truth in our stories and our vulnerability holds some of the deepest richest most beautiful treasures you possess. When you remove some of your masks, you liberate beauty. Your well honed “defense system” served you well when you needed it, but now it constricts and hinders your truest expression and vitality. It seems like a paradox, but it is really simply more of inclusiveness. If you want to be free, you have to be willing to be true and perfectly imperfectly real.

In living with the FACT you and we all WILL die, guaranteed, you are liberated to stop waiting… for what would be, should be, could be… and become free to be here now as you are. The vitality that this holds is vast and easy to underestimate. Hidden Treasures again.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy – the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

-Brene Brown

With the deconstruction of your stories, you are able to remember/reclaim/reveal what is true. Hidden Treasures, like gold and diamonds, are found just beneath the mask.

What are your hidden treasures you are willing to reveal this Hallowmas?

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"580\"] Day of Our Dead [/caption] The season has officially changed. The air feels different. And over the last few mornings, the hedge along the left side of...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550244320312-F3YWWW3095RE1U8T2S94/IMG_90121-580x580.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ "title": "How We Spend Our Days", "slug": "how-we-spend-our-days", "link": "/blog/2013/9/26/how-we-spend-our-days", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I was listening to what was for a time a wonderful and informative talk on retirement the other day on NPR. I was interested in most bows and hours visiting of what the speaker had to say. And then she made a statement that went something like this: “We need time in retirement to write a personal narrative.”

Although I understood that this is the kind of thing that someone says and most would agree with in principle, I couldn’t disagree more. I want my whole life to be my personal narrative. The idea of waiting until retirement to then take stock and adjust to become something akin to “good” or “wise” or some such a thing feels inauthentic. I want to make sure that I live while I’m alive, not wait for this living.

Annie Dillard says, “How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.” And of course how we spend our lives IS our personal narrative and our legacy.

“How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.”

- Annie Dillard

This journalist comment also comes mainly from living in a death phobic culture. And with this kind of throwaway remark from the well-intentioned words, I am heartened all the more for the spaces that I am privileged to hold in my work. I love and cherish the edges. We need more inclusion of inquiry into our deaths, fears, passions and brilliances long before we are preparing our memoires. If not, we will not have much to write about.

“People living deeply have no fear of death.”
– Anais Nin

It’s the simple things that create the narrative of our lives. It’s the manner in which we live our lives that matter: How we move to and from the shops, how we engage with the difficult colleague as we pass by, how we treat the vulnerable widow down the street and the know-it-all teenage boy next door. Disposition is everything. It’s not about “failing” or not failing, but rather finding out what is really happening, noticing and learning with less contraction or fear from the inside out. It may not be easy, but it is simple… and moreover, it is important. This is, after all, YOUR life.

I also know for myself, that through the interviews and workshops that I create, like for the In Your Own Skin documentary, I engage in this very practice. I am creating a simple space in which to allow all sorts of ordinary saints to offer artful revelations of just such hidden treasure that lives in all of us. And as the interviewer, I get to tap into a space from my own life’s riches full of being broken open to love more. In so doing, I am honoured to invite these wonderful beings to share safely. In my teaching, parenting and community life I have the opportunity to reveal more and more artfully the very things that are vulnerable in such a way that they become, in fact, the most powerful ground of awakening. There is freedom more and more from constructs and scripts and more surrender to presence as the ground of wisdom. By sharing our foibles, idiosyncrasies and the perfection of our imperfections with some intelligence and measure, we are all a little bit more free. And our personal narratives become more wise with no need to wait for anything like retirement.

What are the ways in which you feel most authentic in your disposition and living? How do you feel most present and true in your life?

Have a great day!

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI was listening to what was for a time a wonderful and informative talk on retirement the other day on NPR. I was interested in most bows and hours visiting of what the speaker had to say. And then she made a statement that went something like this: “We need time in retirement to write a personal narrative.”

Although I understood that this is the kind of thing that someone says and most would agree with in principle, I couldn’t disagree more. I want my whole life to be my personal narrative. The idea of waiting until retirement to then take stock and adjust to become something akin to “good” or “wise” or some such a thing feels inauthentic. I want to make sure that I live while I’m alive, not wait for this living.

Annie Dillard says, “How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.” And of course how we spend our lives IS our personal narrative and our legacy.

“How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.”

- Annie Dillard

This journalist comment also comes mainly from living in a death phobic culture. And with this kind of throwaway remark from the well-intentioned words, I am heartened all the more for the spaces that I am privileged to hold in my work. I love and cherish the edges. We need more inclusion of inquiry into our deaths, fears, passions and brilliances long before we are preparing our memoires. If not, we will not have much to write about.

“People living deeply have no fear of death.”
– Anais Nin

It’s the simple things that create the narrative of our lives. It’s the manner in which we live our lives that matter: How we move to and from the shops, how we engage with the difficult colleague as we pass by, how we treat the vulnerable widow down the street and the know-it-all teenage boy next door. Disposition is everything. It’s not about “failing” or not failing, but rather finding out what is really happening, noticing and learning with less contraction or fear from the inside out. It may not be easy, but it is simple… and moreover, it is important. This is, after all, YOUR life.

I also know for myself, that through the interviews and workshops that I create, like for the In Your Own Skin documentary, I engage in this very practice. I am creating a simple space in which to allow all sorts of ordinary saints to offer artful revelations of just such hidden treasure that lives in all of us. And as the interviewer, I get to tap into a space from my own life’s riches full of being broken open to love more. In so doing, I am honoured to invite these wonderful beings to share safely. In my teaching, parenting and community life I have the opportunity to reveal more and more artfully the very things that are vulnerable in such a way that they become, in fact, the most powerful ground of awakening. There is freedom more and more from constructs and scripts and more surrender to presence as the ground of wisdom. By sharing our foibles, idiosyncrasies and the perfection of our imperfections with some intelligence and measure, we are all a little bit more free. And our personal narratives become more wise with no need to wait for anything like retirement.

What are the ways in which you feel most authentic in your disposition and living? How do you feel most present and true in your life?

Have a great day!

", "excerpt": "I was listening to what was for a time a wonderful and informative talk on retirement the other day on NPR. I was interested in most bows and hours visiting of what the speaker had to say. And then...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550244525032-VAXN27CSZ8QQA4L5FMVT/This_Hour_Whitman_PPCCE_Quote-580x478.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ "title": "They Said it Couldn't be Done", "slug": "they-said-it-couldnt-be-done", "link": "/blog/2013/8/1/they-said-it-couldnt-be-done", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Traveling has always been an amazing combination of feelings and experiences for me. But for the most part, I find traveling outside of my day to day situation incredibly re-vivifying. There’s something about the unfamiliar setting and people that wakes me up and brings me a more refined sense of presence usually.

New York City last week was no exception to this. Within 12 hours of arriving, I found myself in a pickle on the underground along with my son and a dear old friend Becky. The situation was rather serious and “impossible”…some even said doomed. They said it couldn’t be done. They said New Yorkers would be too impatient. But Johnny from New Jersey who works on the number seven underground proved all the naysayers wrong.

And before I share more, let me just be the first to put my hand up and say, “I know it was a bit stupid. But who knew?”

Here is what happened:
We were traveling into Manhattan on the number seven underground train that happens to travel over ground for almost all of the journey. Because are still in the middle of making the IN YOUR OWN SKIN film, I was experimenting with filming against the glass to capture the passing scene. I was filming on the doors as it happens. The underground slowed and stopped. The footage was great! And as the doors started to open, I wanted to film just a second longer before removing the camera/iphone. There was a thick solid black plastic seal into which the doors slid. I took note of this and felt confident that this buffer would push my phone back if it went too far along. And as you may have guessed, the best laid plans are never simple. My brand new iphone was sucked right into the wall of the underground. We did not know if it had fallen two stories to the street below, on to the railroad track or if it was actually stuck inside the wall, but this was not good. Our plans were put on hold as we tried to figure out what to do.

We exited at the next underground station at Crown Street, and proceeded to go to the office and see if we could get help. The woman in the office all but laughed at us and said it was not possible. I was not prepared to take her pessimism on board just yet. Not knowing what to do next, we went back to the No 7 underground train realizing that we better chase the train we were on. The only chance we had, we realized, was to find the same train and the same car on that train and sweet talk the controller who has a little office in the middle of the train to help us.

There were three very lucky things that happened in a short period of time… actually I’m sure there were many more than three… but three stick out. 1) My friend realised that there was probably only one entirely pink number seven subway train. 2) I have had the presence of mine to note the actual number of the car on the train into which the phone had been sucked in my journal. And of course 3) Johnny the train conductor and ultimate hero of our story.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"580\"]\" My heroes and phone rescuers from No 7 NYC Subway [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
We headed on the next number seven train back toward Times Square. When Becky spied the pink train across the platform, she quickly beckoned us toward it….and we made it on. And through the throng of New York Mets fans we eventually found our way to the conductor in the middle of the train to ask if he could help. He was remarkably kind, and Becky’s incredibly beautiful which did not hurt. He agreed to call in some help if we could stay on the train till the end of the line. So much for the plans we had had, but this had turned into quite an adventure. It was now kind of fun… and hopeful. More and more Mets fans got on the train and we waited to see what would happen.

To our delight, at the end of the line, Johnny had summoned two other very calm and confident men in uniform with lots of tools. They joined us on the platform as we proceeded down to the number 2026 car and found the place where the phone should be inside the wall. They have a special key to take off the stainless steel plate of the wall and we could clearly see the phone at the bottom. I was overjoyed and squealed with delight like a little girl with happiness. Only then did we realize that this was not so simple and far from done…because the phone/camera was lodged behind the heating unit of the car. But far be it for a little thing like that to keep three men on a heroic journey from succeeding. Tools and plans and even a coat hanger were produced from impossible places. Ultimately an ultra-high-powered magnet (which risked erasing the phone) was put into operation to fish the still filming phone out. Hoorah! Photos were taken and amazed and delighted faces were struck by all of us.

The phone had recorded the whole incident, survived all those door openings and had captured all the audio as well. Various underground employees came and went as we continued on our rescue mission. One colorful forthright woman came in just as the phone was being pulled out and asked what happened. We told her the nutshell version and she simply said, “You’re not from here are you?”

“Nope.”

And I knew that there was a bit of naive protection over us from not presuming the worst. And that our hanging onto the possibility that it could be done was powerful and strong. People are ultimately kind, and three men in uniform in the New York subway couldn’t possibly fail. Huge thanks to Becky, Orion and most especially Johnny from No 7!

Ciao!

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nTraveling has always been an amazing combination of feelings and experiences for me. But for the most part, I find traveling outside of my day to day situation incredibly re-vivifying. There’s something about the unfamiliar setting and people that wakes me up and brings me a more refined sense of presence usually.

New York City last week was no exception to this. Within 12 hours of arriving, I found myself in a pickle on the underground along with my son and a dear old friend Becky. The situation was rather serious and “impossible”…some even said doomed. They said it couldn’t be done. They said New Yorkers would be too impatient. But Johnny from New Jersey who works on the number seven underground proved all the naysayers wrong.

And before I share more, let me just be the first to put my hand up and say, “I know it was a bit stupid. But who knew?”

Here is what happened:
We were traveling into Manhattan on the number seven underground train that happens to travel over ground for almost all of the journey. Because are still in the middle of making the IN YOUR OWN SKIN film, I was experimenting with filming against the glass to capture the passing scene. I was filming on the doors as it happens. The underground slowed and stopped. The footage was great! And as the doors started to open, I wanted to film just a second longer before removing the camera/iphone. There was a thick solid black plastic seal into which the doors slid. I took note of this and felt confident that this buffer would push my phone back if it went too far along. And as you may have guessed, the best laid plans are never simple. My brand new iphone was sucked right into the wall of the underground. We did not know if it had fallen two stories to the street below, on to the railroad track or if it was actually stuck inside the wall, but this was not good. Our plans were put on hold as we tried to figure out what to do.

We exited at the next underground station at Crown Street, and proceeded to go to the office and see if we could get help. The woman in the office all but laughed at us and said it was not possible. I was not prepared to take her pessimism on board just yet. Not knowing what to do next, we went back to the No 7 underground train realizing that we better chase the train we were on. The only chance we had, we realized, was to find the same train and the same car on that train and sweet talk the controller who has a little office in the middle of the train to help us.

There were three very lucky things that happened in a short period of time… actually I’m sure there were many more than three… but three stick out. 1) My friend realised that there was probably only one entirely pink number seven subway train. 2) I have had the presence of mine to note the actual number of the car on the train into which the phone had been sucked in my journal. And of course 3) Johnny the train conductor and ultimate hero of our story.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n
\"
My heroes and phone rescuers from No 7 NYC Subway
\n \n\n\n\nWe headed on the next number seven train back toward Times Square. When Becky spied the pink train across the platform, she quickly beckoned us toward it….and we made it on. And through the throng of New York Mets fans we eventually found our way to the conductor in the middle of the train to ask if he could help. He was remarkably kind, and Becky’s incredibly beautiful which did not hurt. He agreed to call in some help if we could stay on the train till the end of the line. So much for the plans we had had, but this had turned into quite an adventure. It was now kind of fun… and hopeful. More and more Mets fans got on the train and we waited to see what would happen.

To our delight, at the end of the line, Johnny had summoned two other very calm and confident men in uniform with lots of tools. They joined us on the platform as we proceeded down to the number 2026 car and found the place where the phone should be inside the wall. They have a special key to take off the stainless steel plate of the wall and we could clearly see the phone at the bottom. I was overjoyed and squealed with delight like a little girl with happiness. Only then did we realize that this was not so simple and far from done…because the phone/camera was lodged behind the heating unit of the car. But far be it for a little thing like that to keep three men on a heroic journey from succeeding. Tools and plans and even a coat hanger were produced from impossible places. Ultimately an ultra-high-powered magnet (which risked erasing the phone) was put into operation to fish the still filming phone out. Hoorah! Photos were taken and amazed and delighted faces were struck by all of us.

The phone had recorded the whole incident, survived all those door openings and had captured all the audio as well. Various underground employees came and went as we continued on our rescue mission. One colorful forthright woman came in just as the phone was being pulled out and asked what happened. We told her the nutshell version and she simply said, “You’re not from here are you?”

“Nope.”

And I knew that there was a bit of naive protection over us from not presuming the worst. And that our hanging onto the possibility that it could be done was powerful and strong. People are ultimately kind, and three men in uniform in the New York subway couldn’t possibly fail. Huge thanks to Becky, Orion and most especially Johnny from No 7!

Ciao!

", "excerpt": "Traveling has always been an amazing combination of feelings and experiences for me. But for the most part, I find traveling outside of my day to day situation incredibly re-vivifying. There’s...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550244814214-KY8VZV1WK5XU566K3W7U/IMG_0014-580x386.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ "title": "Creating a More Beautiful World Stateside", "slug": "creating-a-more-beautiful-world-stateside", "link": "/blog/2013/7/23/creating-a-more-beautiful-world-stateside", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
We have just arrived in the USA for nearly 6 weeks ( NY 1 week, MI 10 days, WA 1 week, CA 2 weeks) for a delicious trip to see family and friends and to grow and share my beloved IN Your Own Skin social art documentary Project to contribute toward creating a More Beautiful World and wellbeing. I would love to know what you all think about the project, how it touches you and if you can see how this addresses resilience and beauty at a core level?

In Your Own Skin Project
I am crowdsourcing this at the moment through the main website and also looking for places along our travels to the states above, to offer screenings/talks/discussions and fundraising events to make the feature length film. Also would love any ideas from like-minded folks who want to connect in real live skin and face-to-face ways around this…my contact details are all on the web site too.

Thanks.

Have a Beauty-filled day!

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nWe have just arrived in the USA for nearly 6 weeks ( NY 1 week, MI 10 days, WA 1 week, CA 2 weeks) for a delicious trip to see family and friends and to grow and share my beloved IN Your Own Skin social art documentary Project to contribute toward creating a More Beautiful World and wellbeing. I would love to know what you all think about the project, how it touches you and if you can see how this addresses resilience and beauty at a core level?

In Your Own Skin Project
I am crowdsourcing this at the moment through the main website and also looking for places along our travels to the states above, to offer screenings/talks/discussions and fundraising events to make the feature length film. Also would love any ideas from like-minded folks who want to connect in real live skin and face-to-face ways around this…my contact details are all on the web site too.

Thanks.

Have a Beauty-filled day!

", "excerpt": "We have just arrived in the USA for nearly 6 weeks ( NY 1 week, MI 10 days, WA 1 week, CA 2 weeks) for a delicious trip to see family and friends and to grow and share my beloved IN Your Own Skin...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550245424136-3FAZBY35G0QLEU3GNQQR/IMG_5244-580x580.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ "title": "Living the Risk", "slug": "living-the-risk", "link": "/blog/2013/7/22/living-the-risk", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"580\"]\" Photographic portraits being prepared to ship of to the National Portrait Gallery Photographic Portrait Competition. [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
You know those things that niggle at you that you say you want to do?: One day. Next year. Before I die.

I have this idea that as we are ALL dying and we really do not know when…its best to be getting on with the ol’ bucket list. And so, to that end, I have taken the risk of submitting some of the In Your Own Skin Portraits to the National Portrait Gallery Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Competition. I have NO idea what the outcome will be. I DO know that it is important to risk doing the things we say we love and cherish. And play the big full authentic game rather than play small. And so, with nearly 1 minute to go…(I swear my self-saboteur was THAT close) I got my online entry submitted and the rest fell into place. This of course was with a little help from my wonderful assistant and photographer Steven who printed the photos for me exquisitely.

Here’s to taking risks to live our dreams!

What risk can you take today that you have been meaning to do for ages?

Have a beautiful day!

\n
", + "content": "
\"
Photographic portraits being prepared to ship of to the National Portrait Gallery Photographic Portrait Competition.
\n \n\n\n\nYou know those things that niggle at you that you say you want to do?: One day. Next year. Before I die.

I have this idea that as we are ALL dying and we really do not know when…its best to be getting on with the ol’ bucket list. And so, to that end, I have taken the risk of submitting some of the In Your Own Skin Portraits to the National Portrait Gallery Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Competition. I have NO idea what the outcome will be. I DO know that it is important to risk doing the things we say we love and cherish. And play the big full authentic game rather than play small. And so, with nearly 1 minute to go…(I swear my self-saboteur was THAT close) I got my online entry submitted and the rest fell into place. This of course was with a little help from my wonderful assistant and photographer Steven who printed the photos for me exquisitely.

Here’s to taking risks to live our dreams!

What risk can you take today that you have been meaning to do for ages?

Have a beautiful day!

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"580\"] Photographic portraits being prepared to ship of to the National Portrait Gallery Photographic Portrait Competition. [/caption] You know those things...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550245578959-AQNRWRYCP4QDIIMYVWHX/IMG_5078-580x435.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ "title": "She Carries Her Moon Always", "slug": "she-carries-her-moon-always", "link": "/blog/2013/7/7/she-carries-her-moon-always", - "content": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"450\"]\" She Carries Her Moon Always by Katheryn M Trenshaw (2 color original Lithograph) [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
Ah! beginning again and again each day. Forgetting more often than I would like to admit… even to myself. Breathing. And starting with the next moment. What a funny creature I can be sometimes… but always heartened by how I experience remembering that what I long for is nearly always in the thing I reject or hide from or conceal. Jeff sums it up eloquently here with his quote:

Begin where you are. Where else IS there?

If pain, sorrow, regret, confusion or fear are appearing in your present experience right now, do not turn away, do not use the labels ‘dark’ or ‘negative’, do not assume any kind of cosmic deviation or ‘sin’. For these are sacred and intelligent life-movements, all, undivided from the vastness of creation, waves of the limitless ocean of Self. They are your beloved children, all, forgotten movements of yourself, longing for your warm presence – a moment of undivided attention. “Remember me!” they cry, one last time, and will you ignore them today? Or will you finally accept your birth right? Will you remember that everything you long for is already appearing, disguised as everything you reject?

Will you remember that you cannot be anywhere other than Home?

-Jeff Foster

When I created this She Carries Her Moon Always Lithograph, I remember how exciting it was to represent the irrepressible power of our radiance…especially in the dark. Here is to living in the full embrace of all our your aspects: warts and all, beauty and all, power and all, vitality and all. Here is to living in your own skin and coming home at long last.

\n
", + "content": "
\"
She Carries Her Moon Always by Katheryn M Trenshaw (2 color original Lithograph)
\n \n\n\n\nAh! beginning again and again each day. Forgetting more often than I would like to admit… even to myself. Breathing. And starting with the next moment. What a funny creature I can be sometimes… but always heartened by how I experience remembering that what I long for is nearly always in the thing I reject or hide from or conceal. Jeff sums it up eloquently here with his quote:

Begin where you are. Where else IS there?

If pain, sorrow, regret, confusion or fear are appearing in your present experience right now, do not turn away, do not use the labels ‘dark’ or ‘negative’, do not assume any kind of cosmic deviation or ‘sin’. For these are sacred and intelligent life-movements, all, undivided from the vastness of creation, waves of the limitless ocean of Self. They are your beloved children, all, forgotten movements of yourself, longing for your warm presence – a moment of undivided attention. “Remember me!” they cry, one last time, and will you ignore them today? Or will you finally accept your birth right? Will you remember that everything you long for is already appearing, disguised as everything you reject?

Will you remember that you cannot be anywhere other than Home?

-Jeff Foster

When I created this She Carries Her Moon Always Lithograph, I remember how exciting it was to represent the irrepressible power of our radiance…especially in the dark. Here is to living in the full embrace of all our your aspects: warts and all, beauty and all, power and all, vitality and all. Here is to living in your own skin and coming home at long last.

", "excerpt": "[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"450\"] She Carries Her Moon Always by Katheryn M Trenshaw (2 color original Lithograph) [/caption] Ah! beginning again and again each day. Forgetting more often...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550245788065-PRMGUB9IDD0EMHIA9BH4/KT0290c-She_Carries_Her_Moon_Always-2.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ "title": "To Love and Real Freedom", "slug": "to-love-and-real-freedom", "link": "/blog/2013/7/4/to-love-and-real-freedom", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance

I am feeling humbled and moved this fine day… by the fragility of my life and my body sometimes and by the love of friends. In my recovering from whatever it was that took over my body the last few days in the form of intense illness, I was also gifted with amazing soup, boys to the rescue with a chicken emergency and a film from my beloved friend Mike Grenville The Lottery of Birth Documentary. This film is fantastic and a must see for anyone.. but perhaps especially those who have kids in education. I was reminded of many things in the context of this wonderful film;

The damage that patriotism has the potential to do:

‘One of the things that most effectively blinds us to our own role in the world and to examining our own beliefs and our own actions is patriotism or indeed adherence to any pre-established view of the world. But patriotism has a particularly effective role in preventing us from knowing ourselves because you begin with the assumption that you are the best and most desirable country in the world.

That is an essential assumption of patriotism. Of course it can’t be true in all cases and it’s probably not true in any cases. But, it allows you not to see the bad things that your country is doing and not to see the impacts that it exerts on other people. Patriotism is always conceived as a virtue and as such it is a particularly blinding force blinding us to certain realities.’

George Montbiot, Journalist, Author & Environmentalist
speaking in The Lottery of Birth Documentary

The realities of obedience and the importance throughout history of disobedience:

“Disobedience does not imply disorder. In fact, it is obedience that produces the most destructive forms of disorder. War. Poverty and the devastation of our environment.

Freedom has always depended un our ability to identify and overcome systems of arbitrary authority. Throughout history, principle disobedience has served time and again to create a more humane society. The choice is not whether we obey or disobey but rather what we obey and disobey.”

“If there is one lesson to be taken from the violent horrors of the 20th century, it is the danger of not questioning. But we won’t ask a question if we think we already know the answer.”

“As our critical faculties develop, it can seem far easier to rationalise what we have absorbed by chance than to face the discomfort that comes with questioning. But to question is to value the idea of truth more highly than the loyalties to our nation , religion, race or ideology…in short, our inherited ideology.”

And not least the words of Arundhati Roy woven into the film near the end:

“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”

― Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living

As I ponder the implications of my inherited ideology and cultural mores, I am struck by how important it is to keep questioning and reviewing with fresh eyes what is actually happening in the present. This is perhaps a little bit easier since I am an ex-pat and it becomes a way of living in some ways. And we all need to re-examine with regularity the things that we take for granted or as TRUTH. For me, this is especially relevant when they come to the education of our children and the educational systems that we expose them to. I celebrate the fierce individuality and deep intelligence of my teenage son as he enters into a system that does not necessarily appreciate being questioned. And it is down to me right now, as a parent and tax payer, to model questioning this system and to celebrate our freedom to disobey rules that are antiquated and shaming.

Take line writing, for instance. I was shocked to find out that it is standard practice to write lines as a normal part of punishment and detention at the comprehensive school, where my son is a gifted and talented student. I thought that went out with hitting with rulers and noses on blackboards! Its 2013 and my genius, albeit disorganised at times, 15-year-old is being asked to write lines! I have begun the long process of questioning this antiquated practice. I have pointed out to one of the head of science, head of year and the head of the school that this practice was designed to shame and humiliate rather than to teach or educate. If you want to give him community service – OK. Or make him dig in the garden. Great! The head of science said this would seem like a reward and not a punishment. I disagree.

What is more, this school is officially a Trust school and therefore is officially grounded in principles of cooperation, mutual respect, support and collaborative learning. it is meant to be a place of energy and inspiration. I cannot see how writing lines reflects the ethos of this school. I can see that I have a challenge ahead of me. I can also see the danger of not questioning and so I have begun.

And in the end, in a more civilised, free and loving culture which I co-create in my living, these questions can only reap interesting dialogues. And I do not want to be part of the dangerous bunch who do not question, but rather the beauty of an open dialogue and an engaged awake community.

“Together we can create something of great and lasting beauty.”

Here’s to freedom, love, insignificance and lasting beauty!

PS and speaking of Freedom, happy 4th of July my peeps in America. (smile!)

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nTo love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance

I am feeling humbled and moved this fine day… by the fragility of my life and my body sometimes and by the love of friends. In my recovering from whatever it was that took over my body the last few days in the form of intense illness, I was also gifted with amazing soup, boys to the rescue with a chicken emergency and a film from my beloved friend Mike Grenville The Lottery of Birth Documentary. This film is fantastic and a must see for anyone.. but perhaps especially those who have kids in education. I was reminded of many things in the context of this wonderful film;

The damage that patriotism has the potential to do:

‘One of the things that most effectively blinds us to our own role in the world and to examining our own beliefs and our own actions is patriotism or indeed adherence to any pre-established view of the world. But patriotism has a particularly effective role in preventing us from knowing ourselves because you begin with the assumption that you are the best and most desirable country in the world.

That is an essential assumption of patriotism. Of course it can’t be true in all cases and it’s probably not true in any cases. But, it allows you not to see the bad things that your country is doing and not to see the impacts that it exerts on other people. Patriotism is always conceived as a virtue and as such it is a particularly blinding force blinding us to certain realities.’

George Montbiot, Journalist, Author & Environmentalist
speaking in The Lottery of Birth Documentary

The realities of obedience and the importance throughout history of disobedience:

“Disobedience does not imply disorder. In fact, it is obedience that produces the most destructive forms of disorder. War. Poverty and the devastation of our environment.

Freedom has always depended un our ability to identify and overcome systems of arbitrary authority. Throughout history, principle disobedience has served time and again to create a more humane society. The choice is not whether we obey or disobey but rather what we obey and disobey.”

“If there is one lesson to be taken from the violent horrors of the 20th century, it is the danger of not questioning. But we won’t ask a question if we think we already know the answer.”

“As our critical faculties develop, it can seem far easier to rationalise what we have absorbed by chance than to face the discomfort that comes with questioning. But to question is to value the idea of truth more highly than the loyalties to our nation , religion, race or ideology…in short, our inherited ideology.”

And not least the words of Arundhati Roy woven into the film near the end:

“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget.”

― Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living

As I ponder the implications of my inherited ideology and cultural mores, I am struck by how important it is to keep questioning and reviewing with fresh eyes what is actually happening in the present. This is perhaps a little bit easier since I am an ex-pat and it becomes a way of living in some ways. And we all need to re-examine with regularity the things that we take for granted or as TRUTH. For me, this is especially relevant when they come to the education of our children and the educational systems that we expose them to. I celebrate the fierce individuality and deep intelligence of my teenage son as he enters into a system that does not necessarily appreciate being questioned. And it is down to me right now, as a parent and tax payer, to model questioning this system and to celebrate our freedom to disobey rules that are antiquated and shaming.

Take line writing, for instance. I was shocked to find out that it is standard practice to write lines as a normal part of punishment and detention at the comprehensive school, where my son is a gifted and talented student. I thought that went out with hitting with rulers and noses on blackboards! Its 2013 and my genius, albeit disorganised at times, 15-year-old is being asked to write lines! I have begun the long process of questioning this antiquated practice. I have pointed out to one of the head of science, head of year and the head of the school that this practice was designed to shame and humiliate rather than to teach or educate. If you want to give him community service – OK. Or make him dig in the garden. Great! The head of science said this would seem like a reward and not a punishment. I disagree.

What is more, this school is officially a Trust school and therefore is officially grounded in principles of cooperation, mutual respect, support and collaborative learning. it is meant to be a place of energy and inspiration. I cannot see how writing lines reflects the ethos of this school. I can see that I have a challenge ahead of me. I can also see the danger of not questioning and so I have begun.

And in the end, in a more civilised, free and loving culture which I co-create in my living, these questions can only reap interesting dialogues. And I do not want to be part of the dangerous bunch who do not question, but rather the beauty of an open dialogue and an engaged awake community.

“Together we can create something of great and lasting beauty.”

Here’s to freedom, love, insignificance and lasting beauty!

PS and speaking of Freedom, happy 4th of July my peeps in America. (smile!)

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ", "excerpt": "To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance I am feeling humbled and moved this fine day… by the fragility of my life and my body sometimes and by the love of friends. In my...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550245957207-HUEWLJYE939FDYRTP4HR/You_are_already_free-558x600.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ "title": "The Doorway to Simplicity", "slug": "the-doorway-to-simplicity", "link": "/blog/2013/6/20/the-doorway-to-simplicity", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “The doorway to a radical, numinous, simplicity, seems to be reached by the long and difficult path of generosity.”\n
\n
— David Whyte
\n
\n\n\n
Got to cycle around loads to meetings this week in actual sunshine…My body loves this! Simple. Wonderful! Loving the simple gratitudes that come from conversations and inquiries with many gorgeous beings . God I love this In Your Own Skin project! I love how it opens doors to people’s hearts and is so simple. I love how it makes me feel simply grateful to be alive. Which brings me to Davide Whyte’s poem, The Doorway to Simplicity.

The Doorway to Simplicity
The doorway to a radical, numinous, simplicity, seems to be reached by the long and difficult path of generosity. Firstly, we are invited, against our will, to unfold our grip and give away what was never ours in the first place: secondly, we are then asked, or at times forced, to let go, of what was once ours, but which we have held to far too long and far too tightly, long beyond its proper season. Thirdly, and lastly, and with great difficulty, we hear the unwanted call to give away those things that have always been ours, but which we somehow managed to love in the wrong way: we are asked to give away people or things we were close to, but people or things we named in the wrong way.

At the end, we are left with is what is actually ours, a living, robust, but hardly identifiable thing, that is a flowing, everyday representation of our essential spirit; a wave form passing through us, a way we hold the everyday conversation of life: in the silence of a room, in the city street, in the office or at an ocean’s edge, but still, an essence we are asked to give away again and again; in the right way, to the right person, or the right place, at the right time; time after time.

In the midst of that last giving we seem to take a step into the numinous doorway of permeability, and are suddenly found ourselves by the world and seemingly, by the light, we become a strange new receiver of the world’s own generosity; we find ourselves being given back to, in the right way, at the right time by the right source; we stand in the living, breathing doorway where giving and taking become one thing.

Thoughts from Avignon: David Whyte 2013

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “The doorway to a radical, numinous, simplicity, seems to be reached by the long and difficult path of generosity.”\n
\n
— David Whyte
\n
\n\n\nGot to cycle around loads to meetings this week in actual sunshine…My body loves this! Simple. Wonderful! Loving the simple gratitudes that come from conversations and inquiries with many gorgeous beings . God I love this In Your Own Skin project! I love how it opens doors to people’s hearts and is so simple. I love how it makes me feel simply grateful to be alive. Which brings me to Davide Whyte’s poem, The Doorway to Simplicity.

The Doorway to Simplicity
The doorway to a radical, numinous, simplicity, seems to be reached by the long and difficult path of generosity. Firstly, we are invited, against our will, to unfold our grip and give away what was never ours in the first place: secondly, we are then asked, or at times forced, to let go, of what was once ours, but which we have held to far too long and far too tightly, long beyond its proper season. Thirdly, and lastly, and with great difficulty, we hear the unwanted call to give away those things that have always been ours, but which we somehow managed to love in the wrong way: we are asked to give away people or things we were close to, but people or things we named in the wrong way.

At the end, we are left with is what is actually ours, a living, robust, but hardly identifiable thing, that is a flowing, everyday representation of our essential spirit; a wave form passing through us, a way we hold the everyday conversation of life: in the silence of a room, in the city street, in the office or at an ocean’s edge, but still, an essence we are asked to give away again and again; in the right way, to the right person, or the right place, at the right time; time after time.

In the midst of that last giving we seem to take a step into the numinous doorway of permeability, and are suddenly found ourselves by the world and seemingly, by the light, we become a strange new receiver of the world’s own generosity; we find ourselves being given back to, in the right way, at the right time by the right source; we stand in the living, breathing doorway where giving and taking become one thing.

Thoughts from Avignon: David Whyte 2013

", "excerpt": "“ The doorway to a radical, numinous, simplicity, seems to be reached by the long and difficult path of generosity. ” — David Whyte Got to cycle around loads to meetings this week in actual...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550246350912-XOQ2QKYBIRXAN8CRA506/Door_Whyte_QuoteGreen-580x472.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -652,7 +652,7 @@ "title": "Lose Sight of the Shore", "slug": "lose-sight-of-the-shore", "link": "/blog/2013/6/17/lose-sight-of-the-shore", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Living this wild and precious life is a commitment. I am more and more aware that we HAVE to be courageous on a daily basis in a hundred small ways… starting with forgiving ourselves and being brave enough to live from our hearts. Simpler. More true. More authentic. More relaxed. And even writing this, I can feel my body settle and my heart still. We are amazing beings who are here for a very short time. I, for one, plan to make this life a whole-hearted one. How do you live more wholeheartedly?

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nLiving this wild and precious life is a commitment. I am more and more aware that we HAVE to be courageous on a daily basis in a hundred small ways… starting with forgiving ourselves and being brave enough to live from our hearts. Simpler. More true. More authentic. More relaxed. And even writing this, I can feel my body settle and my heart still. We are amazing beings who are here for a very short time. I, for one, plan to make this life a whole-hearted one. How do you live more wholeheartedly?", "excerpt": "Living this wild and precious life is a commitment. I am more and more aware that we HAVE to be courageous on a daily basis in a hundred small ways… starting with forgiving ourselves and being brave...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550246556964-ZX13HRTZJHAWDWKWKZR5/cross-the-ocean.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -667,7 +667,7 @@ "title": "We Have Come To Be Danced", "slug": "we-have-come-to-be-danced", "link": "/blog/2013/6/14/we-have-come-to-be-danced", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
by Jewel Mathieson

We have come to be danced
not the pretty dance
not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
but the claw our way back into the belly
of the sacred, sensual animal dance
the unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
the holding the precious moment in the palms
of our hands and feet dance

We have come to be danced
not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
but the wring the sadness from our skin dance
the blow the chip off our shoulder dance
the slap the apology from our posture dance

We have come to be danced
not the monkey see, monkey do dance
one, two dance like you
one two three, dance like me dance
but the grave robber, tomb stalker
tearing scabs & scars open dance
the rub the rhythm raw against our souls dance

We have come to be danced
not the nice invisible, self conscious shuffle
but the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
shaman shakin’ ancient bones dance
the strip us from our casings, return our wings
sharpen our claws & tongues dance
the shed dead cells and slip into
the luminous skin of love dance

We have come to be danced
not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
but the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath & beat dance
the shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
the mother may I?
yes you may take 10 giant leaps dance
the Olly Olly Oxen Free Free Free dance
the everyone can come to our heaven dance

We have come to be danced
where the kingdom’s collide
in the cathedral of flesh
to burn back into the light
to unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
to root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced
WE HAVE COME

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nby Jewel Mathieson

We have come to be danced
not the pretty dance
not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
but the claw our way back into the belly
of the sacred, sensual animal dance
the unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
the holding the precious moment in the palms
of our hands and feet dance

We have come to be danced
not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
but the wring the sadness from our skin dance
the blow the chip off our shoulder dance
the slap the apology from our posture dance

We have come to be danced
not the monkey see, monkey do dance
one, two dance like you
one two three, dance like me dance
but the grave robber, tomb stalker
tearing scabs & scars open dance
the rub the rhythm raw against our souls dance

We have come to be danced
not the nice invisible, self conscious shuffle
but the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
shaman shakin’ ancient bones dance
the strip us from our casings, return our wings
sharpen our claws & tongues dance
the shed dead cells and slip into
the luminous skin of love dance

We have come to be danced
not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor dance
but the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath & beat dance
the shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
the mother may I?
yes you may take 10 giant leaps dance
the Olly Olly Oxen Free Free Free dance
the everyone can come to our heaven dance

We have come to be danced
where the kingdom’s collide
in the cathedral of flesh
to burn back into the light
to unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
to root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced
WE HAVE COME

", "excerpt": "by Jewel Mathieson We have come to be danced not the pretty dance not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance but the claw our way back into the belly of the sacred, sensual animal dance the...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550246769886-SZNDW6SD4C8QEC2QM8MG/02-PPCCE_QuoteGreen-We-have-come-to-be-danced-580x472.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -682,7 +682,7 @@ "title": "Fierce Grace", "slug": "fierce-grace", "link": "/blog/2013/6/11/fierce-grace", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Being here now calls me home to myself. Simple always. And not always easy. More and more, the things that are truly satisfying and create joy in my life and my heart are simple. Increasingly I am suspect of anything too complicated.

Simple: Breathing. Walking. Gardening. Writing. Drawing. Mono-tasking. Dancing. Media-free time. Sharing one-on-one with a trusted friend or complete stranger. Simple present calls to happiness and home.

For me, the best way to begin by opening my eyes and noticing what is happening. Sometimes it is a fierce grace, but grace all the same.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nBeing here now calls me home to myself. Simple always. And not always easy. More and more, the things that are truly satisfying and create joy in my life and my heart are simple. Increasingly I am suspect of anything too complicated.

Simple: Breathing. Walking. Gardening. Writing. Drawing. Mono-tasking. Dancing. Media-free time. Sharing one-on-one with a trusted friend or complete stranger. Simple present calls to happiness and home.

For me, the best way to begin by opening my eyes and noticing what is happening. Sometimes it is a fierce grace, but grace all the same.

", "excerpt": "Being here now calls me home to myself. Simple always. And not always easy. More and more, the things that are truly satisfying and create joy in my life and my heart are simple. Increasingly I am...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550246871675-E9DGQFXLU5QGKCXWZRBX/image-asset.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -697,7 +697,7 @@ "title": "Lanyards & Everyday Saints", "slug": "lanyards-amp-everyday-saints", "link": "/blog/2013/5/24/lanyards-amp-everyday-saints", - "content": "\"\n \n\n\n\n
There is nothing like a great poem that moves you AND makes you laugh. Today, my brother reminded me again of this favorite poem of mine… and the lanyards that we wove with the woman who I suspect was a bit nutty ( or was she just passionate?) . “The craft lady” as we called her sat in the summer heat and humidity of the midwest at a large wooden picnic table. She sat there all day long next to the public swimming pool where we spent copious amounts of time to stay cool, take every possible level is swimming lesson, learn CPR and stay out of our mother’s hair. “The craft lady” offered us lessons for free and sold us art supplies for a nominal fee. Lanyards were very popular. I loved this artsy woman with all of my budding artist heart for giving us these small dream spaces into creativity and wonder in the midst of a challenging time in a very challenging place. There are often everyday saints that come into our lives… only we do not realise until later that that is what they are. Enjoy!

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ", + "content": "\"\n \n\n\n\nThere is nothing like a great poem that moves you AND makes you laugh. Today, my brother reminded me again of this favorite poem of mine… and the lanyards that we wove with the woman who I suspect was a bit nutty ( or was she just passionate?) . “The craft lady” as we called her sat in the summer heat and humidity of the midwest at a large wooden picnic table. She sat there all day long next to the public swimming pool where we spent copious amounts of time to stay cool, take every possible level is swimming lesson, learn CPR and stay out of our mother’s hair. “The craft lady” offered us lessons for free and sold us art supplies for a nominal fee. Lanyards were very popular. I loved this artsy woman with all of my budding artist heart for giving us these small dream spaces into creativity and wonder in the midst of a challenging time in a very challenging place. There are often everyday saints that come into our lives… only we do not realise until later that that is what they are. Enjoy!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ", "excerpt": "There is nothing like a great poem that moves you AND makes you laugh. Today, my brother reminded me again of this favorite poem of mine… and the lanyards that we wove with the woman who I suspect...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550247086930-HZKVY8ULNXDZTSCCYDLE/image-asset.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ "title": "Conscious Darkness", "slug": "conscious-darkness", "link": "/blog/2013/5/21/conscious-darkness", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Contemplating grief and how it serves and opens our hearts today, I was reminded of the work of Miriam Greenspan today in a reference to the wonderful Sun Magazine article on Dark Emotions. She encourages what she calls “emotional alchemy,” a process by which fear can be transformed into joy, grief into gratitude, and despair into a resilient faith in life. Real feelings instead of pharma. Staying “home” is another way to put it. She also quotes Carl Jung: “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious… This procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not very popular.”

http://thesunmagazine.org/issues/385/through_a_glass_darkly

By the way, this weekend happens to feature a supermoon penetrating the darkness. On Sunday the 26th of May the moon will be at perigee (meaning that it is at the closest point of its slightly elliptical orbit around earth) as a result the full moon on the Saturday will be 13% larger than normal. Enjoy!

There is also a chance to come and explore the Passionate Presence: wellspring of the heart, darkness and all, at the Passionate Presence evening at Edenrise near Totnes from 7 – 9pm. Call or e for more information.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nContemplating grief and how it serves and opens our hearts today, I was reminded of the work of Miriam Greenspan today in a reference to the wonderful Sun Magazine article on Dark Emotions. She encourages what she calls “emotional alchemy,” a process by which fear can be transformed into joy, grief into gratitude, and despair into a resilient faith in life. Real feelings instead of pharma. Staying “home” is another way to put it. She also quotes Carl Jung: “One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious… This procedure, however, is disagreeable and therefore not very popular.”

http://thesunmagazine.org/issues/385/through_a_glass_darkly

By the way, this weekend happens to feature a supermoon penetrating the darkness. On Sunday the 26th of May the moon will be at perigee (meaning that it is at the closest point of its slightly elliptical orbit around earth) as a result the full moon on the Saturday will be 13% larger than normal. Enjoy!

There is also a chance to come and explore the Passionate Presence: wellspring of the heart, darkness and all, at the Passionate Presence evening at Edenrise near Totnes from 7 – 9pm. Call or e for more information.

", "excerpt": "Contemplating grief and how it serves and opens our hearts today, I was reminded of the work of Miriam Greenspan today in a reference to the wonderful Sun Magazine article on Dark Emotions. She...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550247320222-4LP1ZAETP057ZR9071U3/blue-moon-700x194-1-580x160.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ "title": "Because We Never Stop Loving Silently Those We Once Loved Out Loud", "slug": "because-we-never-stop-loving-silently-those-we-once-loved-out-loud", "link": "/blog/2013/5/15/because-we-never-stop-loving-silently-those-we-once-loved-out-loud", - "content": "
In silence we can communicate volumes of heart-full truth and simplify a moment, this moment now, to the essential. The practice which many refer to as “gazing” that traverses the globe in many forms is an important part of the work I love and offer within the context of my workshops. This gazing in silence whilst maintaining eye contact is so simple and powerful and, of course, intimate. And it has a mysterious way of “growing” love like a young plant whilst allowing nourishment, vulnerability, connection and communication that words could never touch.

This is also beautifully exemplified in some of the practice and offerings of artist Marina Abramovic. At her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, where she shared a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her.

In this particular instance, Marina was met by a former lover, Ulay. Marina and Ulay were artists who met and fell in love in the 70s. They shared an intense love story and creative collaborations for a decade. When they ended this chapter together, they ritualized their ending and parted ways after one final trip across The Great Wall of China. They began at opposite ends, each walking the 2500 kilometers to meet in the middle before they said goodbye.

May we all know the simple longing and loving in our hearts and be able to speak in silence the essentials of love.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “I feel there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”\n
\n
— Vincent van Gogh
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "In silence we can communicate volumes of heart-full truth and simplify a moment, this moment now, to the essential. The practice which many refer to as “gazing” that traverses the globe in many forms is an important part of the work I love and offer within the context of my workshops. This gazing in silence whilst maintaining eye contact is so simple and powerful and, of course, intimate. And it has a mysterious way of “growing” love like a young plant whilst allowing nourishment, vulnerability, connection and communication that words could never touch.

This is also beautifully exemplified in some of the practice and offerings of artist Marina Abramovic. At her 2010 MoMa retrospective Marina performed ‘The Artist Is Present’ as part of the show, where she shared a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her.

In this particular instance, Marina was met by a former lover, Ulay. Marina and Ulay were artists who met and fell in love in the 70s. They shared an intense love story and creative collaborations for a decade. When they ended this chapter together, they ritualized their ending and parted ways after one final trip across The Great Wall of China. They began at opposite ends, each walking the 2500 kilometers to meet in the middle before they said goodbye.

May we all know the simple longing and loving in our hearts and be able to speak in silence the essentials of love.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “I feel there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”\n
\n
— Vincent van Gogh
\n
\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "In silence we can communicate volumes of heart-full truth and simplify a moment, this moment now, to the essential. The practice which many refer to as “gazing” that traverses the globe in many forms...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551709665113-QOME7OMWE0CA4B62AHD8/We-never-stop-loving-e1368624809981.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -742,7 +742,7 @@ "title": "You Are an Aperture", "slug": "you-are-an-aperture", "link": "/blog/2013/5/3/you-are-an-aperture", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
When you make something with your hands…it is beautiful.

Monday night at the Transition Town Totnes Artist Network (TTTAN) Creative Salon eve we were inspired by the hand-work, creativity and treading lightly practices of three transition artists: Toby Fairlove with his handmade yurts, Yuli Somme with her felts shrouds/coffins, and film maker Emilio Mula. The conversations that were part of these presentations were deeply touching and thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the details that Toby brought to the entire sensuous and long slow thoughtful process of building a yurt. I also LOVEDheartfully considering the beauty and inevitability of our deaths and how we can make our funerals and are rites of passage as deeply embedded in community building and transition values as possible. It’s always interesting to see how the paradigm from which we are tranisitioning at the moment’s has a similarly throw away/disposable attitude toward things like birth and death as well as stuff. This whole conversation and approach is about redressing that and taking our rites back into the communities and families and “tribe” that we are and re-humanising the entire process.

We also engaged in dynamic inquiry together with the fine guidance of animator/film maker Emilio Mula. We gathered around the table with drinks and olives exploring what transition values permeate our practices and our lives. We explored what was essential in this for each of us. We looked at how for most all of us the questions were much more important that the “answers” per se and gave much more scope for us as creatives to support transition and effect resourceful resilient change in our communities. Especially interesting was the list that we made at the very end of this to give a word or a phrase describing this essential quality of transition art. It was to the noted that none of these words were so much about “beauty” so much as the manner in which our processes were engaged. This shared value and realisation and clarification had an enlivening and a lightening effect on all of us.

As I write these words, I come across these words from Satish Kumar’s Path Without Destination book which feel completely in synch with the mood of the evening and what we are, as transition artists and beings, exploring and endeavouring to live.

Beauty brings joy. Beauty is the source of bliss. … There is no destination. Beauty is not something that we achieve tomorrow. Beauty is not a distant goal. Or distant achievement. Beauty is the divine walk. When you make something with your hands, with love, with imagination, and with your heart, it is beautiful. But when we make something only to be used, we lose the sense of beauty. That is what our industrial culture is good at: mass-produced goods, mass-produced houses, mass-produced food. Ugliness. Our civilization creates a tremendous amount of ugliness. And when you create ugliness, you also create waste. You drink your tea from polystyrene, and throw it away. It is not beautiful, it is trash. Landfills are filled with this trash. If you create a glass that is beautiful to look at, it is not just drinking, it is an aesthetic experience. An experience of beauty.
-Satish Kumar, Path Without Destination

YES. Beauty is indeed the divine walk.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n
The next MMMMMoot (Monthly Monday morning moot meeting) will take place at the barrelhouse from 10 to 12 AM in May at the Barrelhouse Cafe in Totnes.

The next TTTAN Creative Salon fundraising evenings will be on Tuesday, September 17 and January 21st from 7:15 for 7:30 start till 10:30 PM. In September, we already have an amazing young acoustic music singing duo not to be missed and other juicy presenters lined up for your inspiration and to expand your imagination around transition in the arts. Please let us know if you’d like to help make this evening even more special by getting in touch with Katheryn or Dylan.

for more information on TTTAN or to join the http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/arts/


\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nWhen you make something with your hands…it is beautiful.

Monday night at the Transition Town Totnes Artist Network (TTTAN) Creative Salon eve we were inspired by the hand-work, creativity and treading lightly practices of three transition artists: Toby Fairlove with his handmade yurts, Yuli Somme with her felts shrouds/coffins, and film maker Emilio Mula. The conversations that were part of these presentations were deeply touching and thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the details that Toby brought to the entire sensuous and long slow thoughtful process of building a yurt. I also LOVEDheartfully considering the beauty and inevitability of our deaths and how we can make our funerals and are rites of passage as deeply embedded in community building and transition values as possible. It’s always interesting to see how the paradigm from which we are tranisitioning at the moment’s has a similarly throw away/disposable attitude toward things like birth and death as well as stuff. This whole conversation and approach is about redressing that and taking our rites back into the communities and families and “tribe” that we are and re-humanising the entire process.

We also engaged in dynamic inquiry together with the fine guidance of animator/film maker Emilio Mula. We gathered around the table with drinks and olives exploring what transition values permeate our practices and our lives. We explored what was essential in this for each of us. We looked at how for most all of us the questions were much more important that the “answers” per se and gave much more scope for us as creatives to support transition and effect resourceful resilient change in our communities. Especially interesting was the list that we made at the very end of this to give a word or a phrase describing this essential quality of transition art. It was to the noted that none of these words were so much about “beauty” so much as the manner in which our processes were engaged. This shared value and realisation and clarification had an enlivening and a lightening effect on all of us.

As I write these words, I come across these words from Satish Kumar’s Path Without Destination book which feel completely in synch with the mood of the evening and what we are, as transition artists and beings, exploring and endeavouring to live.

Beauty brings joy. Beauty is the source of bliss. … There is no destination. Beauty is not something that we achieve tomorrow. Beauty is not a distant goal. Or distant achievement. Beauty is the divine walk. When you make something with your hands, with love, with imagination, and with your heart, it is beautiful. But when we make something only to be used, we lose the sense of beauty. That is what our industrial culture is good at: mass-produced goods, mass-produced houses, mass-produced food. Ugliness. Our civilization creates a tremendous amount of ugliness. And when you create ugliness, you also create waste. You drink your tea from polystyrene, and throw it away. It is not beautiful, it is trash. Landfills are filled with this trash. If you create a glass that is beautiful to look at, it is not just drinking, it is an aesthetic experience. An experience of beauty.
-Satish Kumar, Path Without Destination

YES. Beauty is indeed the divine walk.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\nThe next MMMMMoot (Monthly Monday morning moot meeting) will take place at the barrelhouse from 10 to 12 AM in May at the Barrelhouse Cafe in Totnes.

The next TTTAN Creative Salon fundraising evenings will be on Tuesday, September 17 and January 21st from 7:15 for 7:30 start till 10:30 PM. In September, we already have an amazing young acoustic music singing duo not to be missed and other juicy presenters lined up for your inspiration and to expand your imagination around transition in the arts. Please let us know if you’d like to help make this evening even more special by getting in touch with Katheryn or Dylan.

for more information on TTTAN or to join the http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/arts/

", "excerpt": "When you make something with your hands…it is beautiful. Monday night at the Transition Town Totnes Artist Network (TTTAN) Creative Salon eve we were inspired by the hand-work, creativity and...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550247709431-STQNGWCGFZT2XG2P5COB/PPCCE-Quote-AlanWatts-You-are-an-aperture-through-V2-e1367580545369.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -757,7 +757,7 @@ "title": "Courageous Contact: The Power of a 36-Year-Late Apology", "slug": "courageous-contact-the-power-of-a-36-year-late-apology", "link": "/blog/2013/3/29/courageous-contact-the-power-of-a-36-year-late-apology", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I got the most interesting email this morning. It was from one of my very first boyfriends from when I was 12 or 13. He was writing to me with an apology from back then. 36 years or so ago. It was so moving that he took the time to send me this heartfelt message.

I don’t know what the actual event was, but he took the time to send me an apology for standing me up once upon a time. I don’t remember the details, but I do remember a general feeling of being let down by him one too many times. This was a pity for my young self since he was incredibly witty and worked at Dairy Queen. He brought me lovely ice creams often after work. He also even remembered the nickname he had given me. Memories came flooding back from my history. It seems like a world away from now.

It was such a sweet thing to receive this email. It surprised me how touching it was. It helped me realise how we, as humans, really need to put things down or they wear on us.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, full or ability is the path.”\n
\n
— Brené Brown, Daring Greatly
\n
\n\n\n
And there’s something very sweet and vulnerable about having this world from my deep dark past reach forward into my present. For me, this feels like part of my “digesting” the past into the present in a most healthy way. This kind of courageous contact, when it is offered in a clean clear way is breathtakingly beautiful. The clue for why this is so is in the very etymology of the word courage. Courage comes from the Latin/French word “coeur” meaning heart. When we offer anything from this “below the neck” space, it has a chance to really penetrate us and, not surprisingly, touch our hearts directly without judgment or interpretation. Simple. Heart-to-heart. Relieving and sweet.

Small wonders of the everyday sacred are like small poems that arise each and every minute of every day. They are worth noticing. How can we live in a more courageous way in our day-to-day lives?

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI got the most interesting email this morning. It was from one of my very first boyfriends from when I was 12 or 13. He was writing to me with an apology from back then. 36 years or so ago. It was so moving that he took the time to send me this heartfelt message.

I don’t know what the actual event was, but he took the time to send me an apology for standing me up once upon a time. I don’t remember the details, but I do remember a general feeling of being let down by him one too many times. This was a pity for my young self since he was incredibly witty and worked at Dairy Queen. He brought me lovely ice creams often after work. He also even remembered the nickname he had given me. Memories came flooding back from my history. It seems like a world away from now.

It was such a sweet thing to receive this email. It surprised me how touching it was. It helped me realise how we, as humans, really need to put things down or they wear on us.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, full or ability is the path.”\n
\n
— Brené Brown, Daring Greatly
\n
\n\n\n And there’s something very sweet and vulnerable about having this world from my deep dark past reach forward into my present. For me, this feels like part of my “digesting” the past into the present in a most healthy way. This kind of courageous contact, when it is offered in a clean clear way is breathtakingly beautiful. The clue for why this is so is in the very etymology of the word courage. Courage comes from the Latin/French word “coeur” meaning heart. When we offer anything from this “below the neck” space, it has a chance to really penetrate us and, not surprisingly, touch our hearts directly without judgment or interpretation. Simple. Heart-to-heart. Relieving and sweet.

Small wonders of the everyday sacred are like small poems that arise each and every minute of every day. They are worth noticing. How can we live in a more courageous way in our day-to-day lives?

", "excerpt": "I got the most interesting email this morning. It was from one of my very first boyfriends from when I was 12 or 13. He was writing to me with an apology from back then. 36 years or so ago. It was so...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550247908338-A7K7VRHMJKTYNCIJMBMZ/image-asset.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -772,7 +772,7 @@ "title": "Recipe for a great 2013: Talk to strangers, just like you!", "slug": "recipe-for-a-great-2013-talk-to-strangers-just-like-you", "link": "/blog/2013/1/10/recipe-for-a-great-2013-talk-to-strangers-just-like-you", - "content": "
Have you ever met someone amazing by chance in a public place or on a train, for instance, that changed your life forever? I love chance encounters of the wholehearted kind. I love that I get to do this all the time in meeting people for the In Your Own Skin project and capturing the essential goodness and dignity and resilience of us all.
My new friend Moa is a great example. What’s not to love?

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "Have you ever met someone amazing by chance in a public place or on a train, for instance, that changed your life forever? I love chance encounters of the wholehearted kind. I love that I get to do this all the time in meeting people for the In Your Own Skin project and capturing the essential goodness and dignity and resilience of us all.
My new friend Moa is a great example. What’s not to love?\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "Have you ever met someone amazing by chance in a public place or on a train, for instance, that changed your life forever? I love chance encounters of the wholehearted kind. I love that I get to do...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550248289958-VWZVTQISL55KCFHDUOHH/K-Trenshaw_IYOS_Portrait-incapacitating_depression-0913-P25-Sm1024-580x386.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -787,7 +787,7 @@ "title": "Silence, Stillness & Stopping", "slug": "silence-stillness-amp-stopping", "link": "/blog/2013/1/2/silence-stillness-amp-stopping", - "content": "
\n
\n “There are times when we stop. We sit still…We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper. ”\n
\n
— James Carroll
\n
\n\n\n\n \n [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1536\"]\" Devon under a soft blanket of snow, 2013 [/caption] \n \n\n\n\n
Bliss! It’s that time of year for me to go on silent retreat. Fasting from rich or complex foods, fasting from social interaction and even…gasp…a media fast. No internet, no screens, no phones of any kind, no talking, no coffee or alcohol or even news of the world. 10 days of nothing with less places to hide or hinder being with what is. Do you think the world can take 10 days without you?

I do. And I am willing to take the risk. And so far, after 12 years of this particular yearly ritual of going away on silent retreat, I find it more and more necessary to recharge my battery and gain perspective on what really matters. You might call it rejuvenation, a mini-death, a reality check, hell or heaven…but for me this is an essential part of my wellness. And as I make my last preparations for the retreat, I am so filled with gratitude! My breath deepens…and of course there is a predictable habitual bit of fear thrown in the mix. This too shall pass…

If you know me well, you will know that I am a pretty energetic, gregarious person. I am often busy…for all sorts of reasons: I am a mom, I am involved in my local community and several international organisations, I have dynamic international projects going, and I am making an independent film at the moment. It’s enough to make any head spin. I am busy. Most of us are. I am also more busy than I really am…if you see what I mean. My busy –ness is my business and it is down to me to take responsibility for what is the essential. What do I need to actually do and want to do? What is naturally and intelligently arising as a priority? And what is just making me busy as a habit of avoiding my depth of presence that comes from culturally acquired fears and scarcities?

And most of us were taught fear. It came into our bodies with our mother’s milk. It became a part of the voices we carry in our heads but rarely admit to any but our most trusted peeps. And, in silence, we are left alone with all the voices in our heads spinning away with no vices to gag them. Cut off the vices and the voices have a party. And in my experience, once these internal voices have had a bit of fun, I am left with more open access to the more essential depth of presence that is always and already there. Deep well-being that includes all of me is already there. Bliss! This is living while we are alive. I have a choice every millisecond, and I chose life year after year.

So, ironically, I make this pilgrimage to silence so that I can remember who I already am deep in my essential core. It works for me. And I want to share the wealth.

How can you take/create/make silence and stillness in your day today? What are your experiences with silence and stillness? What practices in your day to day life support this remembering of the essential?

I would love to hear your experiences.

Have a great week!

\n
", + "content": "
\n
\n “There are times when we stop. We sit still…We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper. ”\n
\n
— James Carroll
\n
\n\n\n\n \n
\"
Devon under a soft blanket of snow, 2013
\n \n\n\n\nBliss! It’s that time of year for me to go on silent retreat. Fasting from rich or complex foods, fasting from social interaction and even…gasp…a media fast. No internet, no screens, no phones of any kind, no talking, no coffee or alcohol or even news of the world. 10 days of nothing with less places to hide or hinder being with what is. Do you think the world can take 10 days without you?

I do. And I am willing to take the risk. And so far, after 12 years of this particular yearly ritual of going away on silent retreat, I find it more and more necessary to recharge my battery and gain perspective on what really matters. You might call it rejuvenation, a mini-death, a reality check, hell or heaven…but for me this is an essential part of my wellness. And as I make my last preparations for the retreat, I am so filled with gratitude! My breath deepens…and of course there is a predictable habitual bit of fear thrown in the mix. This too shall pass…

If you know me well, you will know that I am a pretty energetic, gregarious person. I am often busy…for all sorts of reasons: I am a mom, I am involved in my local community and several international organisations, I have dynamic international projects going, and I am making an independent film at the moment. It’s enough to make any head spin. I am busy. Most of us are. I am also more busy than I really am…if you see what I mean. My busy –ness is my business and it is down to me to take responsibility for what is the essential. What do I need to actually do and want to do? What is naturally and intelligently arising as a priority? And what is just making me busy as a habit of avoiding my depth of presence that comes from culturally acquired fears and scarcities?

And most of us were taught fear. It came into our bodies with our mother’s milk. It became a part of the voices we carry in our heads but rarely admit to any but our most trusted peeps. And, in silence, we are left alone with all the voices in our heads spinning away with no vices to gag them. Cut off the vices and the voices have a party. And in my experience, once these internal voices have had a bit of fun, I am left with more open access to the more essential depth of presence that is always and already there. Deep well-being that includes all of me is already there. Bliss! This is living while we are alive. I have a choice every millisecond, and I chose life year after year.

So, ironically, I make this pilgrimage to silence so that I can remember who I already am deep in my essential core. It works for me. And I want to share the wealth.

How can you take/create/make silence and stillness in your day today? What are your experiences with silence and stillness? What practices in your day to day life support this remembering of the essential?

I would love to hear your experiences.

Have a great week!

", "excerpt": "“ There are times when we stop. We sit still…We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper. ” — James Carroll [caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1536\"] Devon under a soft...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1550248093660-DIZIJ4GCMLUJYRH5N43L/IMG_3366.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -802,7 +802,7 @@ "title": "Walking on Earth", "slug": "walking-on-earth", "link": "/blog/2012/12/20/walking-on-earth", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.”\n
\n
— Thich Nhat Hanh
\n
\n\n\n
How DO we want to spend our lives walking on this earth? We have a lot of power in our voices and choices. How we live our lives matters. Our stories matter. We are constantly given choices. And these, in broad strokes, boil down to 2 main leanings: Love or Fear.

Which leads neatly on to guns. I have never been a part of a school massacre per se and yet I realise that it is time to speak up from my experience. This week, in light of recent events, I’ve been contemplating a great deal about guns, as many people have. I often think about guns. This is partly due to the fact that there are extremely few guns where I live at the moment in Southwest England. The Southwest happens to be not only an incredibly low crime area, but also in a country where gun control is taken very seriously and where the police, by and large, do not carry weapons. I find this incredibly civilized.

I have also been thinking about guns due to the fact that I grew up in an altogether opposite sort of place. I realise that this combination of contrasting experiences give me a unique and perhaps clearer perspective than most. So rather than fear that this is not important enough or let the old habit of shame that I have often felt when sharing about my childhood experiences stop me, I will choose love and share my thoughts.

In the USA people with guns currently shoot 100,000 every year and kill 30,000 of them. I am often asked, as an ex-pat, to explain this. I cannot. It does not strike me as civilized…but more like terrorism.

Guns have had a huge impact on shaping me personally. When people ask me where I grew up, especially here in Europe, I usually give them the shorthand version and say that I grew up in a “war zone” where I spent ten of my most formative years from 3 years old. If I am in the USA, I might say that I grew up in the place known as the “armpit” of America which most people know refers to this place. The average life expectancy for a man in Gary, Indiana is 20. When we moved from Gary at last, we were proud survivors of a place with the second highest murder and rape rate in the US for a city of its size at the time. There was not a family amongst my schoolmates that hadn’t been touched by violence of some sort. And this in spite of the fact that WE were the privileged few who were lucky enough to go to a posh private Catholic school. Apparently bullets know no socio-economic level or religion.

Like many families in the Midwest, when deer hunting season came, my father and brothers went up north to hunt. If it was a good year, they brought back a deer strapped to the car and we feasted on venison for an entire year. I have never held a gun apart from an occasional shot from my brothers BB gun/airgun when I was little. I was more interested in painting and creating things and shooting at targets and tin cans. But I can appreciate that we benefited gastronomically from the common cull every year.

And this time of year ALWAYS makes me think of guns. I cannot help it. The holidays are always a bit funny for me. The day after Christmas, when I was 11 years old, my 13-year-old brother was shot by a man who was “protecting” his property. My brother was trespassing. He walked too close while taking a shortcut between the houses. This older man shot first and asked questions later. The only problem was that he meant to shoot OVER my brothers head, but somehow failed in his intention. Tommy was shot in the temple.

My brother died a few days later on New Year’s Eve after an interminable week for my tender-hearted 11 year old self. I can still remember it so clearly. I never knew my body was capable of crying so many tears nor could produce so much snot. My red-nosed face must have been quite a site. My younger brother and I were taken under the wing of trusted friends of the family for that whole week so my parents could tend to my brother and what must have been unbearable decisions.

I remember much of those days in fine detail, as you do when you have a big life-altering shock. The warm comforting slippers that our hosts gifted me and my little brother with, the handkerchief I was offered so my nose would feel some relief from all the harsh tissues, the unfamiliar foods and over warm house, and the interminable waiting for news about my brother the “genius” who was going to invent the next big cure for cancer.

Regarding the shooter, I do not recall his name. I never met him nor saw him. I DO recall being afraid of him “coming to get me” as if this would really happen…and I dreamt of him doing so for years after. (To a young child, this is a common response when exposed to violence.) But most of all, I remember the impact of the way in which my parents dealt with what to do with this man who killed their son. I can recall not so much the words, but the process and the unbelievable access to compassion that they found for this man. This was a pivotal moment for all of us.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
They said things like:

“He’s afraid. He’s afraid like every other person who lives in this town. He was protecting his elder disabled wife.”

“He thought he was dealing with a full-grown adult. Tommy was 6 feet tall and had a remarkably full beard for a nearly 14-year-old. He never intended to kill anyone. He certainly never intended to kill a child.”

“The killer’s been devastated ever since the events occurred. The neighbors told me that he’s been drowning his sorrows in drink and is completely and utterly filled with remorse and guilt.”

And this was what really sealed the deal for me:
“He’s so guilt ridden that he is already in jail in himself! If we send him to prison, it will be as if he’s imprisoned twice over, and then his poor wife will lose her carer.”

My remarkable ordinary parents chose love. We were protected from the gore of legal, police and medical. We were, on the other hand, empowered and included in the loving act of creating a rite of passage for our brother, our family and our community. We were fully included in the conversations around how to deal with the shooter and the preparations for and execution of the funeral.

There were many gifts that came from this process, too many to name. But amongst the top contenders were:

• Learning that at a very young age anyone can die. And each time since, I’ve used the death of friends and relatives as a wake-up call. Am I choosing to be a force of love or fear in my life?

• Even in the midst of intense grief and “injustice” love can be accessed and used to keep hearts open. I am completely convinced that because of the way my parents handled this man with so much compassion, their marriage survived and our family was made closer. (Statistically speaking, parents who lose child have high incidence of divorce.)

• And lastly, guns do not save lives.

In my very biased but educated opinion I would like to say that it’s completely and utterly ridiculous to call for armed guards, armed teachers and increased weaponry. When I hear this call in order to protect the students on the off chance that another under-supported troubled young man will go on a shooting spree, I am tempted to despair. But that’s not what I’m interested in. I know that guns do not stop violence. And here we are again with choices. And these choices, Like the choices made by my parents, really matter right now.

Here are some things that ARE useful from the wonderful Brené Brown, Ph.D. in her response to this incident that I feel are well worth passing on:

Politics is easier than grief.
To skip over feeling and rush to policy-making dehumanizes the process and weakens policy.

Blame is simply the discharging of pain and discomfort.
It has nothing to do with accountability. Accountability requires long, difficult, respectful conversations. Blame fizzles out with rage, where accountability is in for the long haul.

Self-righteousness is a sign of fear and uncertainty.
It has nothing to do with activism or change. The loudest and most vitriolic among us are often the most afraid. As Harriet Lerner says, “Change requires listening with the same level of passion that we feel when we speak.”

You can’t shame a nation into changing any more than you can shame a person into changing.
Shame is much more likely to be the source of destructive, violent behaviors than it is to be the cure. We need courage, vulnerability, hard work, empathy, integrity (and a little grace wouldn’t hurt). [i]

And I would add that this is about US not THEM. We are all one. If someone walking this earth amongst us is hurting badly, we really need to address this. We all benefit from this. We are all at choice. And I would love to really see us start addressing systemic causes.

We need to speak up from our deep presence and invite leaders and policies that will take into account the connectedness, and the non-dual and consider the causes of our malaise. I pray we make choices based on compassion and love and that will take into account deep listening and the long term. And our choice to choose love over fear is always available as we take one step after the other and walk here on earth together.

I would love to hear your stories.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.”\n
\n
— Thich Nhat Hanh
\n
\n\n\nHow DO we want to spend our lives walking on this earth? We have a lot of power in our voices and choices. How we live our lives matters. Our stories matter. We are constantly given choices. And these, in broad strokes, boil down to 2 main leanings: Love or Fear.

Which leads neatly on to guns. I have never been a part of a school massacre per se and yet I realise that it is time to speak up from my experience. This week, in light of recent events, I’ve been contemplating a great deal about guns, as many people have. I often think about guns. This is partly due to the fact that there are extremely few guns where I live at the moment in Southwest England. The Southwest happens to be not only an incredibly low crime area, but also in a country where gun control is taken very seriously and where the police, by and large, do not carry weapons. I find this incredibly civilized.

I have also been thinking about guns due to the fact that I grew up in an altogether opposite sort of place. I realise that this combination of contrasting experiences give me a unique and perhaps clearer perspective than most. So rather than fear that this is not important enough or let the old habit of shame that I have often felt when sharing about my childhood experiences stop me, I will choose love and share my thoughts.

In the USA people with guns currently shoot 100,000 every year and kill 30,000 of them. I am often asked, as an ex-pat, to explain this. I cannot. It does not strike me as civilized…but more like terrorism.

Guns have had a huge impact on shaping me personally. When people ask me where I grew up, especially here in Europe, I usually give them the shorthand version and say that I grew up in a “war zone” where I spent ten of my most formative years from 3 years old. If I am in the USA, I might say that I grew up in the place known as the “armpit” of America which most people know refers to this place. The average life expectancy for a man in Gary, Indiana is 20. When we moved from Gary at last, we were proud survivors of a place with the second highest murder and rape rate in the US for a city of its size at the time. There was not a family amongst my schoolmates that hadn’t been touched by violence of some sort. And this in spite of the fact that WE were the privileged few who were lucky enough to go to a posh private Catholic school. Apparently bullets know no socio-economic level or religion.

Like many families in the Midwest, when deer hunting season came, my father and brothers went up north to hunt. If it was a good year, they brought back a deer strapped to the car and we feasted on venison for an entire year. I have never held a gun apart from an occasional shot from my brothers BB gun/airgun when I was little. I was more interested in painting and creating things and shooting at targets and tin cans. But I can appreciate that we benefited gastronomically from the common cull every year.

And this time of year ALWAYS makes me think of guns. I cannot help it. The holidays are always a bit funny for me. The day after Christmas, when I was 11 years old, my 13-year-old brother was shot by a man who was “protecting” his property. My brother was trespassing. He walked too close while taking a shortcut between the houses. This older man shot first and asked questions later. The only problem was that he meant to shoot OVER my brothers head, but somehow failed in his intention. Tommy was shot in the temple.

My brother died a few days later on New Year’s Eve after an interminable week for my tender-hearted 11 year old self. I can still remember it so clearly. I never knew my body was capable of crying so many tears nor could produce so much snot. My red-nosed face must have been quite a site. My younger brother and I were taken under the wing of trusted friends of the family for that whole week so my parents could tend to my brother and what must have been unbearable decisions.

I remember much of those days in fine detail, as you do when you have a big life-altering shock. The warm comforting slippers that our hosts gifted me and my little brother with, the handkerchief I was offered so my nose would feel some relief from all the harsh tissues, the unfamiliar foods and over warm house, and the interminable waiting for news about my brother the “genius” who was going to invent the next big cure for cancer.

Regarding the shooter, I do not recall his name. I never met him nor saw him. I DO recall being afraid of him “coming to get me” as if this would really happen…and I dreamt of him doing so for years after. (To a young child, this is a common response when exposed to violence.) But most of all, I remember the impact of the way in which my parents dealt with what to do with this man who killed their son. I can recall not so much the words, but the process and the unbelievable access to compassion that they found for this man. This was a pivotal moment for all of us.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"\n \n\n\n\nThey said things like:

“He’s afraid. He’s afraid like every other person who lives in this town. He was protecting his elder disabled wife.”

“He thought he was dealing with a full-grown adult. Tommy was 6 feet tall and had a remarkably full beard for a nearly 14-year-old. He never intended to kill anyone. He certainly never intended to kill a child.”

“The killer’s been devastated ever since the events occurred. The neighbors told me that he’s been drowning his sorrows in drink and is completely and utterly filled with remorse and guilt.”

And this was what really sealed the deal for me:
“He’s so guilt ridden that he is already in jail in himself! If we send him to prison, it will be as if he’s imprisoned twice over, and then his poor wife will lose her carer.”

My remarkable ordinary parents chose love. We were protected from the gore of legal, police and medical. We were, on the other hand, empowered and included in the loving act of creating a rite of passage for our brother, our family and our community. We were fully included in the conversations around how to deal with the shooter and the preparations for and execution of the funeral.

There were many gifts that came from this process, too many to name. But amongst the top contenders were:

• Learning that at a very young age anyone can die. And each time since, I’ve used the death of friends and relatives as a wake-up call. Am I choosing to be a force of love or fear in my life?

• Even in the midst of intense grief and “injustice” love can be accessed and used to keep hearts open. I am completely convinced that because of the way my parents handled this man with so much compassion, their marriage survived and our family was made closer. (Statistically speaking, parents who lose child have high incidence of divorce.)

• And lastly, guns do not save lives.

In my very biased but educated opinion I would like to say that it’s completely and utterly ridiculous to call for armed guards, armed teachers and increased weaponry. When I hear this call in order to protect the students on the off chance that another under-supported troubled young man will go on a shooting spree, I am tempted to despair. But that’s not what I’m interested in. I know that guns do not stop violence. And here we are again with choices. And these choices, Like the choices made by my parents, really matter right now.

Here are some things that ARE useful from the wonderful Brené Brown, Ph.D. in her response to this incident that I feel are well worth passing on:

Politics is easier than grief.
To skip over feeling and rush to policy-making dehumanizes the process and weakens policy.

Blame is simply the discharging of pain and discomfort.
It has nothing to do with accountability. Accountability requires long, difficult, respectful conversations. Blame fizzles out with rage, where accountability is in for the long haul.

Self-righteousness is a sign of fear and uncertainty.
It has nothing to do with activism or change. The loudest and most vitriolic among us are often the most afraid. As Harriet Lerner says, “Change requires listening with the same level of passion that we feel when we speak.”

You can’t shame a nation into changing any more than you can shame a person into changing.
Shame is much more likely to be the source of destructive, violent behaviors than it is to be the cure. We need courage, vulnerability, hard work, empathy, integrity (and a little grace wouldn’t hurt). [i]

And I would add that this is about US not THEM. We are all one. If someone walking this earth amongst us is hurting badly, we really need to address this. We all benefit from this. We are all at choice. And I would love to really see us start addressing systemic causes.

We need to speak up from our deep presence and invite leaders and policies that will take into account the connectedness, and the non-dual and consider the causes of our malaise. I pray we make choices based on compassion and love and that will take into account deep listening and the long term. And our choice to choose love over fear is always available as we take one step after the other and walk here on earth together.

I would love to hear your stories.

", "excerpt": "“ People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. ” — Thich Nhat Hanh How DO...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551538583258-WGYQCD0C6QU3QOTJ084X/image-asset.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ "title": "Patience has never been my biggest virtue", "slug": "patience-has-never-been-my-biggest-virtue", "link": "/blog/2012/12/14/patience-has-never-been-my-biggest-virtue", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.”\n
\n
— Linda Hogan
\n
\n\n\n
Most of the time we are simply not patient enough. And, even a few moments of pause and presence can transform everything about an hour, a whole day, a lifetime. In the midst of the busyness that is the year end and holiday preparations, it is so easy to try and squeeze in another job (or 6) before dinner needs to be prepared.

And today, as I paused to take the time to write these words, I was reminded of an artist whose work inspired me. She made a shift one day in her practice where she decided, essentially, to stop saying, “ when I have time I will make art”. She decided that if she could take 5 minutes a day and make one “block of art”, then by the end of a few months she would have something substantial. As you may well imagine, this practice opened up a whole new world for her. And this little practice that she did to stay sane and to keep her creative practice going ended up transforming her level of happiness, her joy at doing the practical things that needed to be done and ultimately her livelihood. she has published many books on creative practice that fateful day when she decided to be patient enough, quiet enough, the pay attention to the story in her heart.

So this day, I would like to especially honour the small moments where we are patient enough, and quiet enough to be the space through which our hearts can express things that matter.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.”\n
\n
— Linda Hogan
\n
\n\n\nMost of the time we are simply not patient enough. And, even a few moments of pause and presence can transform everything about an hour, a whole day, a lifetime. In the midst of the busyness that is the year end and holiday preparations, it is so easy to try and squeeze in another job (or 6) before dinner needs to be prepared.

And today, as I paused to take the time to write these words, I was reminded of an artist whose work inspired me. She made a shift one day in her practice where she decided, essentially, to stop saying, “ when I have time I will make art”. She decided that if she could take 5 minutes a day and make one “block of art”, then by the end of a few months she would have something substantial. As you may well imagine, this practice opened up a whole new world for her. And this little practice that she did to stay sane and to keep her creative practice going ended up transforming her level of happiness, her joy at doing the practical things that needed to be done and ultimately her livelihood. she has published many books on creative practice that fateful day when she decided to be patient enough, quiet enough, the pay attention to the story in her heart.

So this day, I would like to especially honour the small moments where we are patient enough, and quiet enough to be the space through which our hearts can express things that matter.

", "excerpt": "“ There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story. ” — Linda Hogan Most of the time we are...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551538804438-FEZNZG1WNANR5BKAROUG/Screen-Shot-2013-03-27-at-14.29.09.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -833,7 +833,7 @@ "title": "Rely on the Kindness (and Co-Creative Curiosity) of Strangers", "slug": "rely-on-the-kindness-and-co-creative-curiosity-of-strangers", "link": "/blog/2012/10/7/rely-on-the-kindness-and-co-creative-curiosity-of-strangers", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
There is masses of research in the wonderful field of Psychology of Happiness, Neurobiology and more [1] that proves something we all knew all along deep in our hearts: that when we give to others we are much happier. What’s more, when we are part of a community and connect to others, we are also happier. Put another way, giving to others helps us connect with people and meets one of our most essential human needs – relatedness[i].

I love this! I know this in my own life… and I am passionate about how being aware of this can increasingly influence our lives and decisions about how we go about things.

Oprah Winfrey recently shared about Biologists Jennifer D. Calkins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Gee, PhD, who raised $4,873 to study quails in Mexico. Scott Wilson pulled in nearly $1 million to design a wristband that turns the iPod Nano into a watch—and his creation is now sold in Apple stores. Musician Jenny Owen Youngs came up with $38,543 to record an album. Each of these projects owes thanks to Kickstarter, a Web site for creative types. What’s Kickstarter? – Well, it allows you to post detailed proposals online and solicit pledges to make them happen. International artist, film-maker and director of the Passionate Presence Center for Creative Expression, Katheryn Trenshaw is definitely such a “creative type” and now her In Your Own SkinProject is doing just this.
The Kickstarter fundraising campaign is currently live to build the co-creative support that happiness is partly made of, and raise $20,000 for a community art project, enabling the In Your Own Skin documentary short to be produced. This will be the first milestone in a far-reaching social art project.

The fabulous online platform provides you the opportunity to discover the power of creative projects like In Your Own Skin. For as little as $5 you can become a part of this. In exchange you can receive rewards, such as signed posters, signed copies of books illustrated by Katheryn, DVDs, photo shoots with the artist, or even your own private In Your Own Skin documentary screening (with up to 20 friends) in a Devon eco-venue complete with sauna and views of Dartmoor with the film-maker.

This is where the community and social nature of In Your Own Skin comes in. Check out the Kickstarter Link at www.inyourownskin.org and then join in the excitement and help build momentum for this Social Art by sharing this link with your friends and networks. You and your friends can even become involved by simply sharing the link because you love it and want to share the wealth and happiness it spreads; or support with a financial pledge in exchange for fine rewards to allow the next stage to happen. Cool huh?

Together, with the kindness and curiosity of strangers, we can take In Your Own Skin forward and provide the opportunity for more people to experience the power of revealing hidden truths. We’re all potentially part of an incredible, international art exhibit with the power to bring happiness and freedom to so many others.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nThere is masses of research in the wonderful field of Psychology of Happiness, Neurobiology and more [1] that proves something we all knew all along deep in our hearts: that when we give to others we are much happier. What’s more, when we are part of a community and connect to others, we are also happier. Put another way, giving to others helps us connect with people and meets one of our most essential human needs – relatedness[i].

I love this! I know this in my own life… and I am passionate about how being aware of this can increasingly influence our lives and decisions about how we go about things.

Oprah Winfrey recently shared about Biologists Jennifer D. Calkins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Gee, PhD, who raised $4,873 to study quails in Mexico. Scott Wilson pulled in nearly $1 million to design a wristband that turns the iPod Nano into a watch—and his creation is now sold in Apple stores. Musician Jenny Owen Youngs came up with $38,543 to record an album. Each of these projects owes thanks to Kickstarter, a Web site for creative types. What’s Kickstarter? – Well, it allows you to post detailed proposals online and solicit pledges to make them happen. International artist, film-maker and director of the Passionate Presence Center for Creative Expression, Katheryn Trenshaw is definitely such a “creative type” and now her In Your Own SkinProject is doing just this.
The Kickstarter fundraising campaign is currently live to build the co-creative support that happiness is partly made of, and raise $20,000 for a community art project, enabling the In Your Own Skin documentary short to be produced. This will be the first milestone in a far-reaching social art project.

The fabulous online platform provides you the opportunity to discover the power of creative projects like In Your Own Skin. For as little as $5 you can become a part of this. In exchange you can receive rewards, such as signed posters, signed copies of books illustrated by Katheryn, DVDs, photo shoots with the artist, or even your own private In Your Own Skin documentary screening (with up to 20 friends) in a Devon eco-venue complete with sauna and views of Dartmoor with the film-maker.

This is where the community and social nature of In Your Own Skin comes in. Check out the Kickstarter Link at www.inyourownskin.org and then join in the excitement and help build momentum for this Social Art by sharing this link with your friends and networks. You and your friends can even become involved by simply sharing the link because you love it and want to share the wealth and happiness it spreads; or support with a financial pledge in exchange for fine rewards to allow the next stage to happen. Cool huh?

Together, with the kindness and curiosity of strangers, we can take In Your Own Skin forward and provide the opportunity for more people to experience the power of revealing hidden truths. We’re all potentially part of an incredible, international art exhibit with the power to bring happiness and freedom to so many others.

", "excerpt": "There is masses of research in the wonderful field of Psychology of Happiness, Neurobiology and more [1] that proves something we all knew all along deep in our hearts: that when we give to others we...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539011535-732J9BV2EN39UG1QP6RK/Give-away.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ "title": "Already Home", "slug": "already-home", "link": "/blog/2012/9/12/already-home", - "content": "
\n
\n “Unpredictable as life itself, the practice of listening is one of the most mysterious, luminous, and challenging art forms on earth.”\n
\n
— Mark Nepo
\n
\n\n\n
As an artist, I have what many would consider an eccentric flair for living. I have been a practicing professional artist since I was 16 (but my mother says it all began when I got ahold of the opposable thumb.) I have lived in many countries and cultures. I have been torn between many pulls in opposite directions frequently: Creative Chaos, Moving Stillness, Empty Fullness. And, within this unpredictable wonderful paradox dance, I have also been passionate about finding “home” most of my life.

One day, in the midst of suffering from trying so hard to understand it all and feeling horribly displaced, I had an epiphany. In my seeking, I was like a woman trying to catch the wind with a butterfly net and eventually, I sat down and experienced the wind. This is a little bit like my journey home. I became more and more interested in simply being here. What a relief! I was listening. I was home.

And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles

no matter how far, but instead by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very humble & arduous & joyful

where we arrive at the ground at our feet and learn to be at home.

- Rumi

In addition to being a visual artist, I have been a movement practitioner since my early 20s. My movement work began in the USA, where I am from, with one of Gabrielle Roth very 1st student teachers named Lia. This 5 rhythms practice via Gabrielle Roth and Lia opened the door to this deep internal place called “home.” Authentic movement, contact improvisational dance, Qi Gong all form a base of my movement practice and foundation. These combined with my work in dynamic creative expression and art therapy. Thank goodness for such wise choices we make in our youth.

Life has been a powerful teacher too. Just over a decade ago I had the blessing of my life seeming to fall apart. I had 3 huge bereavements within a year: I ended a long term marriage, then lost a child, and then also a lover. I was forced, “kicking and screaming” at first, to stop and take stock. And as luck would have it this is when my practices of art and movement really came into their own. I could even go so far as to say that these practices saved my life. I found a new teacher who met me in a whole new depth of presence way with whom I still work. I completely stopped everything I was doing and took space. I moved to France for a term with my young son to a village of 300 in the Ariege, got clear, got lonely, got connect, skied a lot, had great fun in the snow with my son, learned much, got my French back into shape, and got happy deep inside. I hit the restart button for my life.

Such a big dark night of the soul has been a great University like no other. It has had a huge influence on me, my life, and my work. And also my base of Movement, Art, Psychology: These seemingly disparate strands of my life interests have given me not only an incredibly interesting life but also a strong foundation from which to move and teach.

Throughout all of this I never stopped exploring with a mad passion and respect this place of belonging and connection. I love the power in revealing the concealed/shadow* aspects and find our greatest treasures. The passion and presence that live deep inside us.

I’ve come to realize I don’t trust people who hide their shadows. Within those shadows lies our connection, the place we touch each other, the portal into intimacy. All of us are imperfect, so there’s no point judging each other or ourselves.

In the understanding of this truth lies our perfection.

-Dr. Lissa Rankin

Consciousness dances with paradox. Imagination and creativity unlock juiciness and sexuality. I am an expert at failing. And, I have learned that by relaxing into our true nature we are free to fail, to be imperfect and flawed and real and human. In that freedom is, paradoxically, our magnificence. I love this and am so moved by this paradox. The more I show my flaws, the more beautiful I am. Go figure! But it is my experience over and over. Just like the Wabi Sabi practices in Japan, when something is not truly beautiful unless it shows a slight flaw, a bit of rust or some asymmetry, we are more beautiful as we are, from the inside out.

Through this work my life has truly been turned inside out. This is not always been easy. And ultimately I find the Movement of Being work that I am part of combined with creative expression to be the most efficient and effective way of healing, and living fully and with greatest freedom. There is a natural intelligence that we all hold and long to live from. There is deep passion bubbling up in each of us in a very unique way. When I relax more and more into being who I really am, it is all very simple. When I listen, there is a full emptiness and I am already home.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "
\n
\n “Unpredictable as life itself, the practice of listening is one of the most mysterious, luminous, and challenging art forms on earth.”\n
\n
— Mark Nepo
\n
\n\n\nAs an artist, I have what many would consider an eccentric flair for living. I have been a practicing professional artist since I was 16 (but my mother says it all began when I got ahold of the opposable thumb.) I have lived in many countries and cultures. I have been torn between many pulls in opposite directions frequently: Creative Chaos, Moving Stillness, Empty Fullness. And, within this unpredictable wonderful paradox dance, I have also been passionate about finding “home” most of my life.

One day, in the midst of suffering from trying so hard to understand it all and feeling horribly displaced, I had an epiphany. In my seeking, I was like a woman trying to catch the wind with a butterfly net and eventually, I sat down and experienced the wind. This is a little bit like my journey home. I became more and more interested in simply being here. What a relief! I was listening. I was home.

And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles

no matter how far, but instead by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very humble & arduous & joyful

where we arrive at the ground at our feet and learn to be at home.

- Rumi

In addition to being a visual artist, I have been a movement practitioner since my early 20s. My movement work began in the USA, where I am from, with one of Gabrielle Roth very 1st student teachers named Lia. This 5 rhythms practice via Gabrielle Roth and Lia opened the door to this deep internal place called “home.” Authentic movement, contact improvisational dance, Qi Gong all form a base of my movement practice and foundation. These combined with my work in dynamic creative expression and art therapy. Thank goodness for such wise choices we make in our youth.

Life has been a powerful teacher too. Just over a decade ago I had the blessing of my life seeming to fall apart. I had 3 huge bereavements within a year: I ended a long term marriage, then lost a child, and then also a lover. I was forced, “kicking and screaming” at first, to stop and take stock. And as luck would have it this is when my practices of art and movement really came into their own. I could even go so far as to say that these practices saved my life. I found a new teacher who met me in a whole new depth of presence way with whom I still work. I completely stopped everything I was doing and took space. I moved to France for a term with my young son to a village of 300 in the Ariege, got clear, got lonely, got connect, skied a lot, had great fun in the snow with my son, learned much, got my French back into shape, and got happy deep inside. I hit the restart button for my life.

Such a big dark night of the soul has been a great University like no other. It has had a huge influence on me, my life, and my work. And also my base of Movement, Art, Psychology: These seemingly disparate strands of my life interests have given me not only an incredibly interesting life but also a strong foundation from which to move and teach.

Throughout all of this I never stopped exploring with a mad passion and respect this place of belonging and connection. I love the power in revealing the concealed/shadow* aspects and find our greatest treasures. The passion and presence that live deep inside us.

I’ve come to realize I don’t trust people who hide their shadows. Within those shadows lies our connection, the place we touch each other, the portal into intimacy. All of us are imperfect, so there’s no point judging each other or ourselves.

In the understanding of this truth lies our perfection.

-Dr. Lissa Rankin

Consciousness dances with paradox. Imagination and creativity unlock juiciness and sexuality. I am an expert at failing. And, I have learned that by relaxing into our true nature we are free to fail, to be imperfect and flawed and real and human. In that freedom is, paradoxically, our magnificence. I love this and am so moved by this paradox. The more I show my flaws, the more beautiful I am. Go figure! But it is my experience over and over. Just like the Wabi Sabi practices in Japan, when something is not truly beautiful unless it shows a slight flaw, a bit of rust or some asymmetry, we are more beautiful as we are, from the inside out.

Through this work my life has truly been turned inside out. This is not always been easy. And ultimately I find the Movement of Being work that I am part of combined with creative expression to be the most efficient and effective way of healing, and living fully and with greatest freedom. There is a natural intelligence that we all hold and long to live from. There is deep passion bubbling up in each of us in a very unique way. When I relax more and more into being who I really am, it is all very simple. When I listen, there is a full emptiness and I am already home.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "“ Unpredictable as life itself, the practice of listening is one of the most mysterious, luminous, and challenging art forms on earth. ” — Mark Nepo As an artist, I have what many would...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551709611061-9233DIUMSTRZX4UYA4V8/heart-cobble.png?format=original", "images": [ @@ -863,7 +863,7 @@ "title": "Happiness Is: A Walk to Work", "slug": "happiness-is-a-walk-to-work", "link": "/blog/2012/6/18/happiness-is-a-walk-to-work", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I walked to work today. Because I work at home this might seem a bit strange. But because I find the fresh air and exercise so beneficial, I try and walk to work as many days a week as I can. Today I was especially aware of the simple small things that can happen on a short 30 monute walk that set my day up in such a satisfied way. Feeling simple gratitude makes all the difference.

The trick of course is to notice. Today, I happened to notice.
Here are 7 things that happened on the way to work:

1.) I walked across the field with high grass overlooking the local castle. Today I took a moment to enjoy this view on my way up that hill. Delicious.

2.) So many flowers and plants are bursting out of their coiled state in and among the hedgerows along the road and path I take. This outrageous and passionate display of nature warms my heart and reminds me that I too am a part of this fertile display of natural expression.

2.) At the top of the path where I walk, I can see an incredible view of the natural outcrop that is the wonder of Hay Tor. Today it was clear enough to see for many miles up to this vast area of Dartmoor. The breadth and depth of this view keeps me connected to the bigger picture and the spaciousness within my life.

3.) I had a brief chat with the farmer on an all-terrain motorcycle. He was standing at a T junction and I wondered if his bike was out of order. He assured me he was fine and that this was the 2nd time today he had to get his bullock back after he escaped into neighboring field. Cows and sheep are a feature of Devon that I still find charming and a bit odd. I am definitely not in the urban “Kansas” I grew up in anymore!
4.) I admired the array of about 40 solar panels in a new land development that is partly buried in a hillside. I have no idea whether this is domestic or other, but I’m very curious and interested. I’m also delighted that whatever they do they’re using the south facing angle of their great location.

5.) I got to throw a tennis ball for a beautiful 5-year-old golden lab “puppy” as I meandered down the footpath. She was very proud to be walking her human.

6.) I chatted briefly with a man preparing his drain at the base of his driveway. As I approached I simply heard some swearing from someone a bit frustrated. When asked if he was okay, he smiled broadly showed me everything was great and invited me to enjoy the sunshine as he was.
7.) As I crossed before a line of bungalows, I found a heart-shaped leaf wanted to come home with me and remind me of the simple things… Like noticing things on this walk… to carry into my day-to-day work, play and parenting.

And with this I am like to and refreshed to begin my day starting with this simple blog.

I feel incredibly grateful for the simple things that come my way. They are happening all the time if I notice. Enjoy the simple things in your day-to-day.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI walked to work today. Because I work at home this might seem a bit strange. But because I find the fresh air and exercise so beneficial, I try and walk to work as many days a week as I can. Today I was especially aware of the simple small things that can happen on a short 30 monute walk that set my day up in such a satisfied way. Feeling simple gratitude makes all the difference.

The trick of course is to notice. Today, I happened to notice.
Here are 7 things that happened on the way to work:

1.) I walked across the field with high grass overlooking the local castle. Today I took a moment to enjoy this view on my way up that hill. Delicious.

2.) So many flowers and plants are bursting out of their coiled state in and among the hedgerows along the road and path I take. This outrageous and passionate display of nature warms my heart and reminds me that I too am a part of this fertile display of natural expression.

2.) At the top of the path where I walk, I can see an incredible view of the natural outcrop that is the wonder of Hay Tor. Today it was clear enough to see for many miles up to this vast area of Dartmoor. The breadth and depth of this view keeps me connected to the bigger picture and the spaciousness within my life.

3.) I had a brief chat with the farmer on an all-terrain motorcycle. He was standing at a T junction and I wondered if his bike was out of order. He assured me he was fine and that this was the 2nd time today he had to get his bullock back after he escaped into neighboring field. Cows and sheep are a feature of Devon that I still find charming and a bit odd. I am definitely not in the urban “Kansas” I grew up in anymore!
4.) I admired the array of about 40 solar panels in a new land development that is partly buried in a hillside. I have no idea whether this is domestic or other, but I’m very curious and interested. I’m also delighted that whatever they do they’re using the south facing angle of their great location.

5.) I got to throw a tennis ball for a beautiful 5-year-old golden lab “puppy” as I meandered down the footpath. She was very proud to be walking her human.

6.) I chatted briefly with a man preparing his drain at the base of his driveway. As I approached I simply heard some swearing from someone a bit frustrated. When asked if he was okay, he smiled broadly showed me everything was great and invited me to enjoy the sunshine as he was.
7.) As I crossed before a line of bungalows, I found a heart-shaped leaf wanted to come home with me and remind me of the simple things… Like noticing things on this walk… to carry into my day-to-day work, play and parenting.

And with this I am like to and refreshed to begin my day starting with this simple blog.

I feel incredibly grateful for the simple things that come my way. They are happening all the time if I notice. Enjoy the simple things in your day-to-day.

", "excerpt": "I walked to work today. Because I work at home this might seem a bit strange. But because I find the fresh air and exercise so beneficial, I try and walk to work as many days a week as I can. Today I...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539264684-CCUV3GXM88K8FS4D0EIR/IMG_1938.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -878,7 +878,7 @@ "title": "Freedom: Making Space", "slug": "freedom-making-space", "link": "/blog/2012/6/11/freedom-making-space", - "content": "
I went to visit my friend Pete yesterday who is dying. We all are dying, of course, but for Pete this is more obviously immanent. A year ago this friend was suffering from a toothache that wouldn’t go away. He was extremely fit and he led and extraordinarily healthy lifestyle. People often guessed he was 10 to 15 years younger than he was. This 60-ish man is now hobbling across a corridor door as he ushers me into his flat for my long overdue visit. Since I saw him a few months ago he has lost perhaps half of his body weight. The cancer has spread all around Pete’s body in spite of doing all that is possible to stop or slow its growth.

It is of course rather shocking to see my beloved friend. But all of those obvious changes aside, what strikes me most is his dignity and grace and generosity. Pete shares what his process has been like these last weeks and what he values now, but mostly he wants to hear stories from the “outside world”…Nothing is too mundane. He wants it all. I have known Pete for over 20 years. We share a love of music, hot tubs and are both ex pats. We have seen each other through thick and thin. And we cry together now as he endures a wave of pain. We cry together, as well, as he celebrates with me how well my life is going after a long “dark night of the soul” period. He loves my film and book projects and has seen them gestate over a long period. He knows more than most what I have lived through. And now in his last days or weeks or months in this life, his being broken open stops time. It doesn’t matter what we are talking about. All that is important now with Pete is physically touching, preferably where it doesn’t hurt too much and the quality of sharing. We are only concerned with disposition. The content is a bonus or even an incidental thing.

And it was great to be able to joke with him that finally after all these years he “got me in bed with him” as I snuggled up to his good side to hold him! It was wonderful to see and hear and feel his laughter.

And what I’m left with now, besides feeling incredibly grateful and gifted, is something he said; He spoke about how we can’t run away from our traumas. And Pete feels that for him this experience is directly related to undigested trauma from very early life. He thought he had resolved most things, but now can see that this process is to do with completing some of that time in his life. Regardless of how one feels about such things, it was incredibly touching to feel his dignified response. His taking response-ability for his life. He is making his life count right to the end. And in so doing, he is inspiring the privileged few of us who get to spend time with him. I am inspired more than ever to to let things go that need to be released and to live an authentic imperfect perfect life.

As I write this I am again brought to tears thinking of my own sadness for his discomfort. And I am also filled with gratitude and inspired with more vigor to continue the work that I have chosen to do… because I love it and because it makes it difference. Over a year ago, before all of this, my now dying friend was kind enough to be a part of my In Your Own Skin project in which he, like all the others who took part, share something that is not obvious to strangers. I wrote on his skin for photographic portrait. He chose the words “space maker.” At the time, this referred to a congruency in his life both his early life as a landscape architect as well as his latter life as an extremely skilled and sought after masseur. Now, as his body shrinks in size and the funeral arrangements have been made, he is preparing to make even more space and to embrace the the space of empty fullness that is death.

My friend Michaela recently sent out a touching little note in her shock and grief at the sudden death of her co-teacher James. She noted with poignancy that his last contact in the Social Networking world was this, “The more you commit to life, the more you can commit to death.” She also noted that, especially recently, he lived with a deep freedom. What more is there at an essential level?

So here is to making space in your heart and your freedom! And blessings on my friend, on James and on all of us as we live until we die.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "I went to visit my friend Pete yesterday who is dying. We all are dying, of course, but for Pete this is more obviously immanent. A year ago this friend was suffering from a toothache that wouldn’t go away. He was extremely fit and he led and extraordinarily healthy lifestyle. People often guessed he was 10 to 15 years younger than he was. This 60-ish man is now hobbling across a corridor door as he ushers me into his flat for my long overdue visit. Since I saw him a few months ago he has lost perhaps half of his body weight. The cancer has spread all around Pete’s body in spite of doing all that is possible to stop or slow its growth.

It is of course rather shocking to see my beloved friend. But all of those obvious changes aside, what strikes me most is his dignity and grace and generosity. Pete shares what his process has been like these last weeks and what he values now, but mostly he wants to hear stories from the “outside world”…Nothing is too mundane. He wants it all. I have known Pete for over 20 years. We share a love of music, hot tubs and are both ex pats. We have seen each other through thick and thin. And we cry together now as he endures a wave of pain. We cry together, as well, as he celebrates with me how well my life is going after a long “dark night of the soul” period. He loves my film and book projects and has seen them gestate over a long period. He knows more than most what I have lived through. And now in his last days or weeks or months in this life, his being broken open stops time. It doesn’t matter what we are talking about. All that is important now with Pete is physically touching, preferably where it doesn’t hurt too much and the quality of sharing. We are only concerned with disposition. The content is a bonus or even an incidental thing.

And it was great to be able to joke with him that finally after all these years he “got me in bed with him” as I snuggled up to his good side to hold him! It was wonderful to see and hear and feel his laughter.

And what I’m left with now, besides feeling incredibly grateful and gifted, is something he said; He spoke about how we can’t run away from our traumas. And Pete feels that for him this experience is directly related to undigested trauma from very early life. He thought he had resolved most things, but now can see that this process is to do with completing some of that time in his life. Regardless of how one feels about such things, it was incredibly touching to feel his dignified response. His taking response-ability for his life. He is making his life count right to the end. And in so doing, he is inspiring the privileged few of us who get to spend time with him. I am inspired more than ever to to let things go that need to be released and to live an authentic imperfect perfect life.

As I write this I am again brought to tears thinking of my own sadness for his discomfort. And I am also filled with gratitude and inspired with more vigor to continue the work that I have chosen to do… because I love it and because it makes it difference. Over a year ago, before all of this, my now dying friend was kind enough to be a part of my In Your Own Skin project in which he, like all the others who took part, share something that is not obvious to strangers. I wrote on his skin for photographic portrait. He chose the words “space maker.” At the time, this referred to a congruency in his life both his early life as a landscape architect as well as his latter life as an extremely skilled and sought after masseur. Now, as his body shrinks in size and the funeral arrangements have been made, he is preparing to make even more space and to embrace the the space of empty fullness that is death.

My friend Michaela recently sent out a touching little note in her shock and grief at the sudden death of her co-teacher James. She noted with poignancy that his last contact in the Social Networking world was this, “The more you commit to life, the more you can commit to death.” She also noted that, especially recently, he lived with a deep freedom. What more is there at an essential level?

So here is to making space in your heart and your freedom! And blessings on my friend, on James and on all of us as we live until we die.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "I went to visit my friend Pete yesterday who is dying. We all are dying, of course, but for Pete this is more obviously immanent. A year ago this friend was suffering from a toothache that wouldn’t...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551709528582-QRL4K9Y75P7S24878Q80/IYOS-White-on-Black-logo1.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ "title": "Poetry and Potential", "slug": "poetry-and-potential", "link": "/blog/2012/5/30/poetry-and-potential", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Today, I am buzzing around between my office and meetings and errands. Among all of these things which are a part of a normal work day, I am delighted to be scheduling 3 meetings with people along with interviews and photoshoots in London for later in the week.

People are amazing! And these 3 individuals with whom I will soon meet are inspirations to me in very different ways. One is the director of an organization dedicated to increasing happiness in the world and workplace, another is an advocate for asylum seekers as well as a refugee himself, and the third is a performer who has lived through incredible physical challenges. They will all be modeling for me this week for the In Your Own Skin portraits and revealing something concealed. I will have the privilege of engaging in an inquiry with them to decide what word or phrase they will chose to share. Its such an incredibly wholehearted and surprising process because it is simple and real. And, at the moment as I progress with the lead up to the launch of the first major crowd sourcing for my In Your Own Skin Project documentary, I am blessed with so many positive responses.

These 3 Londoners with whom I will soon meet are extraordinary and also, of course, very ordinary folks. As I prepare and pack my bags for the journey, I am struck once again by how the combination of these portraits with words on skin create a simple giant poem to humanity in all its shades. And I am further reminded in my own life and via others by how we are even MORE beautiful when we are deeply present in ourselves, especially with the thing we fear the most or something that is concealed.

In the midst of all this, as luck would happen, I stumble upon the Aimee Mullins talk on TED.com (March 2009) where she asserts in her inimitable style that “Poetry matters. Poetry is what elevates the banal and neglected object to a realm of art. It can transform the thing that might have made people fearful into something that invites them to look, and look a little longer, and maybe even understand.”

I could not have said it better. And the very gorgeous Aimee Mullins, a double amputee with her collection of prosthetic legs, who set records in the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, and who has a modeling career as well as an acting vocation sure knows about “celebrat(ing) those heartbreaking strengths and those glorious disabilities that we all have.” She is amazing. And far from “disabled.” by the traditional definition. In fact, she asserts that,“From an identity standpoint, what does it mean to have a disability? Pamela Anderson has more prosthetic in her body than I do. Nobody calls her disabled.”

And thank goodness for the power of art to transform. It is the vision of an artist and scientists that created those amazing woven carbon fiber sprinting prosthetic legs modeled after the hind leg of a cheetah for Aimee to win track and field events in. It is nothing other than alchemy…. Transforming straw into gold. Transforming the hidden into treasure. Transforming the vulnerable into the most valuable form of happiness.

And on a much more everyday level, how delicious it is to have the space within the busy fullness of the day to take the time to notice this simple poetry that is a part of all of us, with all of our wonderful imperfections. The things we once thought we were afraid to show are our juice and vitality. And we can breathe it all in and say simply, thank you.

PS And Aimee, if you are reading this, would you like to be a part of my In Your Own Skin Project Please?

In Your Own Skin is an social art multi-media project to spread authenticity and happiness with photographic portraits from over 100 people who have shared for a moment what is hidden as a gift to us all. What word or phrase would be absolutely true about you but not obvious to strangers?

“Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin Project confirms my faith in deep essential human beauty and the innate benevolence in us all. It is an inspiring visual anthem to humanity.”

-Jamie Catto, musician and film-maker, creator of dance music super-group Faithless, Grammy award winning 1 Giant Leap

In Your Own Skin Film Trailer Premiere & Fundraiser June 13th @ the Barrelhouse, Totnes UK 7.30pm.

With special appearance by Juliet Russell (singer and BBC 1’s The Voice coach) and Matt Harvey and many more.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nToday, I am buzzing around between my office and meetings and errands. Among all of these things which are a part of a normal work day, I am delighted to be scheduling 3 meetings with people along with interviews and photoshoots in London for later in the week.

People are amazing! And these 3 individuals with whom I will soon meet are inspirations to me in very different ways. One is the director of an organization dedicated to increasing happiness in the world and workplace, another is an advocate for asylum seekers as well as a refugee himself, and the third is a performer who has lived through incredible physical challenges. They will all be modeling for me this week for the In Your Own Skin portraits and revealing something concealed. I will have the privilege of engaging in an inquiry with them to decide what word or phrase they will chose to share. Its such an incredibly wholehearted and surprising process because it is simple and real. And, at the moment as I progress with the lead up to the launch of the first major crowd sourcing for my In Your Own Skin Project documentary, I am blessed with so many positive responses.

These 3 Londoners with whom I will soon meet are extraordinary and also, of course, very ordinary folks. As I prepare and pack my bags for the journey, I am struck once again by how the combination of these portraits with words on skin create a simple giant poem to humanity in all its shades. And I am further reminded in my own life and via others by how we are even MORE beautiful when we are deeply present in ourselves, especially with the thing we fear the most or something that is concealed.

In the midst of all this, as luck would happen, I stumble upon the Aimee Mullins talk on TED.com (March 2009) where she asserts in her inimitable style that “Poetry matters. Poetry is what elevates the banal and neglected object to a realm of art. It can transform the thing that might have made people fearful into something that invites them to look, and look a little longer, and maybe even understand.”

I could not have said it better. And the very gorgeous Aimee Mullins, a double amputee with her collection of prosthetic legs, who set records in the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, and who has a modeling career as well as an acting vocation sure knows about “celebrat(ing) those heartbreaking strengths and those glorious disabilities that we all have.” She is amazing. And far from “disabled.” by the traditional definition. In fact, she asserts that,“From an identity standpoint, what does it mean to have a disability? Pamela Anderson has more prosthetic in her body than I do. Nobody calls her disabled.”

And thank goodness for the power of art to transform. It is the vision of an artist and scientists that created those amazing woven carbon fiber sprinting prosthetic legs modeled after the hind leg of a cheetah for Aimee to win track and field events in. It is nothing other than alchemy…. Transforming straw into gold. Transforming the hidden into treasure. Transforming the vulnerable into the most valuable form of happiness.

And on a much more everyday level, how delicious it is to have the space within the busy fullness of the day to take the time to notice this simple poetry that is a part of all of us, with all of our wonderful imperfections. The things we once thought we were afraid to show are our juice and vitality. And we can breathe it all in and say simply, thank you.

PS And Aimee, if you are reading this, would you like to be a part of my In Your Own Skin Project Please?

In Your Own Skin is an social art multi-media project to spread authenticity and happiness with photographic portraits from over 100 people who have shared for a moment what is hidden as a gift to us all. What word or phrase would be absolutely true about you but not obvious to strangers?

“Katheryn Trenshaw’s In Your Own Skin Project confirms my faith in deep essential human beauty and the innate benevolence in us all. It is an inspiring visual anthem to humanity.”

-Jamie Catto, musician and film-maker, creator of dance music super-group Faithless, Grammy award winning 1 Giant Leap

In Your Own Skin Film Trailer Premiere & Fundraiser June 13th @ the Barrelhouse, Totnes UK 7.30pm.

With special appearance by Juliet Russell (singer and BBC 1’s The Voice coach) and Matt Harvey and many more.

", "excerpt": "Today, I am buzzing around between my office and meetings and errands. Among all of these things which are a part of a normal work day, I am delighted to be scheduling 3 meetings with people along...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539440685-O4K7OKC7ZDWCH0B3S43A/IYOS-Filmstripv8-May-2012.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -908,7 +908,7 @@ "title": "April Fools", "slug": "april-fools", "link": "/blog/2012/4/3/april-fools", - "content": "\"\"/", + "content": "\"\"", "excerpt": "", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539544809-UVQIL76OQUFNRAVKHP48/KatherynTrenshawDancingHayTorDartmoor.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -923,7 +923,7 @@ "title": "Innefficiency Required: Innovation and Serendipity", "slug": "innefficiency-required-innovation-and-serendipity", "link": "/blog/2012/2/20/innefficiency-required-innovation-and-serendipity", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Creativity is a receptive experience.”\n
\n
— Jamie Catto
\n
\n\n\n
The demands on me in my life as writer, a mom, an artist and a teacher amongst many other things are enormous. And, I am always seeking ways to make things more efficient and sustainable. I also wish to contribute during my lifetime to the best and truest of my ability.

And, in the mix, I like to consider myself to be an innovator and a cultural creative. I know full well that the world needs more of us too. There is a need for imaginal intelligence and creativity like never before. We need to be spaces through which ideas and intelligence arise. We need to be as interested or more interested in the spaces in between. We probably have enough bankers for the moment. (No offense to bankers per se. But you know what I mean!) And I know more and more that two things are efficient and essential to support this: serendipity and exposure to diverse people, places and ideas. If I am feeling stuck or in need of inspiration I know for sure that even something as simple as a change of scene, like a 10 minute walk or a 3 minute dance, will give me a new perspective or clarify an idea. By the same token, if I get together a group of trusted diverse colleagues to brainstorm an idea for say 30 minutes, the efficiency goes up 10 fold. This is not rocket science. I think it’s more reliable.

And to get outside of my familiar box and patterns, paradoxically, gets me more inside my deep self, deep presence and a connection to the wholeness of life. It seems to give rise to natural intelligence that is lost in getting into a predictable pattern or rut.

I recently stayed in a hotel in London on my way to be a part of Jamie Catto’s brilliant “What about You?” weekend (full of diversity and innovation in and of itself. Excellent!) Due to this simple synchronicity, I came across an article in a Magazine in the room I would not normally read called Intelligent Life (Jan/Feb 2012). It was called ‘Staging Serendipity’ by Ian Leslie and it affirmed my appreciation for both synchronicity and diversity in such an unlikely place.

“Creativity is the practice of awe.” My dear friend MC Richards once said. And this practice of taking the time for awe is considered by many to be a waste of time. Don’t be fooled. Often, in the name of being efficient, we lose our capacity for innovation. Put another way, Ethan Zuckerman, Director of the Center for Civil Media at MIT says, “Serendipity is necessarily inefficient”. Something inside of me feels relieved when I read these words. As a creative, I know the need to sketch, feel awe, daydream and write ‘nonsense’ in order to arrive at what needs unwrapping inside myself. “

Mr. Zuckerman also asserts that, “Innovation thrives on the serendipitous collision of ideas.” Yes! Ideas, people, food combinations, new turns of phrase, fresh images, unusual streets and sounds. These all collide to form what will become the next work of art, the next set of images for the multi-media project or something in the next chapter of the book I am working on. We NEED fresh input to see where we are and stay awake. This can also be a fresh combination of things in one square foot of our front garden by the way!

And then there is the term “value homophile” which is a social term for our tendency to associate with others who think in similar ways to us. We think our worlds are full of diverse input because we use, say, Google search engines. But in fact, even with all the information available to us on the Internet, we will tend to stick to the same 1st page references. We tend to take the same way home and walk in the same small area of the places we live. We can be very easily and unknowingly creating our own rat run. Same routes, same people, same ideas. Have a look at how your drive, cycle or walk home over the next weeks. How much does your route vary?

We tend to orbit in the same way around people, places, social issues and friends. Ethan Zuckerman gave a speech to investment managers on Serendipity. He was nervous that they would not relate to the material. But on the contrary, they loved it. He says it was because “What they are looking for are strategies for finding inspiration outside their information orbit.” Yes. We hunger for fresh perspectives to increase our natural awakeness. Even if you work from home, like I often do, you can ‘walk to work’ by going out into the hills above your office for an hours walk to clear your head and prepare for the day with much better oxygen flow to body and mind. When we get outside our own boxes we can operate more from the inside out.

In the Psychology of Happiness, it is a known fact that a great way to create a more connected and caring society is to make friends with people who are very different from us. Action for Happiness recently posted a lovely interview with Jon Yates from The Challenge Network explaining how greater diversity in our friendships has a positive impact on well being, responsibility, and the contribution young people can make in society.

This, in a similar vein, keeps us from complacency. This keeps us from ‘us and them’ and all manner of dualism. This keeps us sane and connected and awake as well. So here is to innovation and serendipity. All hail inefficiency, page 10 on the Google search, and discovering new friends and a new way home.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n “Creativity is a receptive experience.”\n
\n
— Jamie Catto
\n
\n\n\nThe demands on me in my life as writer, a mom, an artist and a teacher amongst many other things are enormous. And, I am always seeking ways to make things more efficient and sustainable. I also wish to contribute during my lifetime to the best and truest of my ability.

And, in the mix, I like to consider myself to be an innovator and a cultural creative. I know full well that the world needs more of us too. There is a need for imaginal intelligence and creativity like never before. We need to be spaces through which ideas and intelligence arise. We need to be as interested or more interested in the spaces in between. We probably have enough bankers for the moment. (No offense to bankers per se. But you know what I mean!) And I know more and more that two things are efficient and essential to support this: serendipity and exposure to diverse people, places and ideas. If I am feeling stuck or in need of inspiration I know for sure that even something as simple as a change of scene, like a 10 minute walk or a 3 minute dance, will give me a new perspective or clarify an idea. By the same token, if I get together a group of trusted diverse colleagues to brainstorm an idea for say 30 minutes, the efficiency goes up 10 fold. This is not rocket science. I think it’s more reliable.

And to get outside of my familiar box and patterns, paradoxically, gets me more inside my deep self, deep presence and a connection to the wholeness of life. It seems to give rise to natural intelligence that is lost in getting into a predictable pattern or rut.

I recently stayed in a hotel in London on my way to be a part of Jamie Catto’s brilliant “What about You?” weekend (full of diversity and innovation in and of itself. Excellent!) Due to this simple synchronicity, I came across an article in a Magazine in the room I would not normally read called Intelligent Life (Jan/Feb 2012). It was called ‘Staging Serendipity’ by Ian Leslie and it affirmed my appreciation for both synchronicity and diversity in such an unlikely place.

“Creativity is the practice of awe.” My dear friend MC Richards once said. And this practice of taking the time for awe is considered by many to be a waste of time. Don’t be fooled. Often, in the name of being efficient, we lose our capacity for innovation. Put another way, Ethan Zuckerman, Director of the Center for Civil Media at MIT says, “Serendipity is necessarily inefficient”. Something inside of me feels relieved when I read these words. As a creative, I know the need to sketch, feel awe, daydream and write ‘nonsense’ in order to arrive at what needs unwrapping inside myself. “

Mr. Zuckerman also asserts that, “Innovation thrives on the serendipitous collision of ideas.” Yes! Ideas, people, food combinations, new turns of phrase, fresh images, unusual streets and sounds. These all collide to form what will become the next work of art, the next set of images for the multi-media project or something in the next chapter of the book I am working on. We NEED fresh input to see where we are and stay awake. This can also be a fresh combination of things in one square foot of our front garden by the way!

And then there is the term “value homophile” which is a social term for our tendency to associate with others who think in similar ways to us. We think our worlds are full of diverse input because we use, say, Google search engines. But in fact, even with all the information available to us on the Internet, we will tend to stick to the same 1st page references. We tend to take the same way home and walk in the same small area of the places we live. We can be very easily and unknowingly creating our own rat run. Same routes, same people, same ideas. Have a look at how your drive, cycle or walk home over the next weeks. How much does your route vary?

We tend to orbit in the same way around people, places, social issues and friends. Ethan Zuckerman gave a speech to investment managers on Serendipity. He was nervous that they would not relate to the material. But on the contrary, they loved it. He says it was because “What they are looking for are strategies for finding inspiration outside their information orbit.” Yes. We hunger for fresh perspectives to increase our natural awakeness. Even if you work from home, like I often do, you can ‘walk to work’ by going out into the hills above your office for an hours walk to clear your head and prepare for the day with much better oxygen flow to body and mind. When we get outside our own boxes we can operate more from the inside out.

In the Psychology of Happiness, it is a known fact that a great way to create a more connected and caring society is to make friends with people who are very different from us. Action for Happiness recently posted a lovely interview with Jon Yates from The Challenge Network explaining how greater diversity in our friendships has a positive impact on well being, responsibility, and the contribution young people can make in society.

This, in a similar vein, keeps us from complacency. This keeps us from ‘us and them’ and all manner of dualism. This keeps us sane and connected and awake as well. So here is to innovation and serendipity. All hail inefficiency, page 10 on the Google search, and discovering new friends and a new way home.

", "excerpt": "“ Creativity is a receptive experience. ” — Jamie Catto The demands on me in my life as writer, a mom, an artist and a teacher amongst many other things are enormous. And, I am always seeking...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539679518-F0208JXW2HLOCQ5AYG1D/finding-home1.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -938,7 +938,7 @@ "title": "Celebrating Shamelessness", "slug": "celebrating-shamelessness", "link": "/blog/2012/1/28/celebrating-shamelessness", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Embracing Natural Intelligence

“This is a trickster moment in history,” the wonderful Martin Shaw asserts as he contextualizes the role of myth and story in our time. And it HAS been an extreme time of quickening. It seems like it’s all falling apart. But like Arundhati Roy shares:

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way! On a quiet day, if you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing.”

And like this breath, and the flow of stories and myths shared, genius lives in the margins… betwixt and between. From the edges, as I digest the deep beauty and wildness from the last 5 day Passionate Presence retreat Diving in Deep here in Devon, I am stuck by how our access to wilderness within and without is our confirmation. Through time in nature, it confirms our natural intelligence. Through dance, it clarifies our deep knowing. Through creative expression, it connects us to each other and the greater web of beings and life. We are broken open to the vastness that lives inside. And on an incredibly mundane level it simply cuts through to what is real and raw and authentic. How efficient. How truly sustaining and sustainable.

This is not necessarily easy, but it IS very simple. And these insights feed the community in which we live. Powerful myth, I am also reminded by Martin, also feeds community.

And that leads me to recount the mythical story of Tatterhood*:

In the story of Tatterhood, the King and the Queen who cannot conceive seek fertility counseling from the Gypsy mother who lives on the margins of society. They are desperate and so they resort to the margins.

In this symbolically rich story the Queen does indeed conceive and become pregnant after following strict instructions to take the bed outside and sleep in the woods. She also must bathe under the stars and return her bathwater to the earth. And she must eat the white flower that grows from this watering and magic making. She eats the white AND the red flower as she cannot resist and it has consequence. Of course it does. It is a natural process and it is a myth.

The queen gives birth to twins. And from between her quivering thighs, Tatterhood emerges first, riding a goat, covered in a furry hood and carrying a spoon raised and begging for food from the moment she emerges. Her sister comes second. She is fair, blond and exceedingly beautiful. She is also cooing, compliant and quiet. These sisters experienced many adventures and transformations. And what is most moving to me as I experience this story as if for the 1st time is the partnership between complementary forces; wild and tame, raw and refined, agitation and calm, masculine and feminine, fierce and passive. The deep love between the sisters allows space and the deep embrace for wildness, shamelessness and natural intelligence to arise.

The twins are inseparable. Together through adventures and courage, they create wholeness in each other and support each other’s fullness. They are without shame.

And when the 2 sisters at the end of the story have a joint wedding, Tatterhood’s deep and utter beauty is at last revealed by simply being seen for who she really is by the masculine. Her goat becomes a stallion, her spoon becomes a magic wand and her hood becomes a feminine bejeweled crown. And this “shameless” wild “creature” is even more beautiful than her lovely twin sister.

So here is to getting confirmed by deep wilderness. And here is to wisdom that lives betwixt and between. And here is to being broken open to the vastness that lives inside us all, and sustaining and feeding our communities. Just listen closely in the stillness of your heart, and you can hear her breathing without shame.

*Note: A Special note of gratitude to the amazing beings who made the Diving in Deep retreat such a powerful week, and to Martin Shaw for his highly skilled wholehearted sharing of story and soul at the Consciousness Cafe January 26 at the Barrelhouse in Totnes as a part of the Transition Town Totnes Movement.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nEmbracing Natural Intelligence

“This is a trickster moment in history,” the wonderful Martin Shaw asserts as he contextualizes the role of myth and story in our time. And it HAS been an extreme time of quickening. It seems like it’s all falling apart. But like Arundhati Roy shares:

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way! On a quiet day, if you listen carefully, you can hear her breathing.”

And like this breath, and the flow of stories and myths shared, genius lives in the margins… betwixt and between. From the edges, as I digest the deep beauty and wildness from the last 5 day Passionate Presence retreat Diving in Deep here in Devon, I am stuck by how our access to wilderness within and without is our confirmation. Through time in nature, it confirms our natural intelligence. Through dance, it clarifies our deep knowing. Through creative expression, it connects us to each other and the greater web of beings and life. We are broken open to the vastness that lives inside. And on an incredibly mundane level it simply cuts through to what is real and raw and authentic. How efficient. How truly sustaining and sustainable.

This is not necessarily easy, but it IS very simple. And these insights feed the community in which we live. Powerful myth, I am also reminded by Martin, also feeds community.

And that leads me to recount the mythical story of Tatterhood*:

In the story of Tatterhood, the King and the Queen who cannot conceive seek fertility counseling from the Gypsy mother who lives on the margins of society. They are desperate and so they resort to the margins.

In this symbolically rich story the Queen does indeed conceive and become pregnant after following strict instructions to take the bed outside and sleep in the woods. She also must bathe under the stars and return her bathwater to the earth. And she must eat the white flower that grows from this watering and magic making. She eats the white AND the red flower as she cannot resist and it has consequence. Of course it does. It is a natural process and it is a myth.

The queen gives birth to twins. And from between her quivering thighs, Tatterhood emerges first, riding a goat, covered in a furry hood and carrying a spoon raised and begging for food from the moment she emerges. Her sister comes second. She is fair, blond and exceedingly beautiful. She is also cooing, compliant and quiet. These sisters experienced many adventures and transformations. And what is most moving to me as I experience this story as if for the 1st time is the partnership between complementary forces; wild and tame, raw and refined, agitation and calm, masculine and feminine, fierce and passive. The deep love between the sisters allows space and the deep embrace for wildness, shamelessness and natural intelligence to arise.

The twins are inseparable. Together through adventures and courage, they create wholeness in each other and support each other’s fullness. They are without shame.

And when the 2 sisters at the end of the story have a joint wedding, Tatterhood’s deep and utter beauty is at last revealed by simply being seen for who she really is by the masculine. Her goat becomes a stallion, her spoon becomes a magic wand and her hood becomes a feminine bejeweled crown. And this “shameless” wild “creature” is even more beautiful than her lovely twin sister.

So here is to getting confirmed by deep wilderness. And here is to wisdom that lives betwixt and between. And here is to being broken open to the vastness that lives inside us all, and sustaining and feeding our communities. Just listen closely in the stillness of your heart, and you can hear her breathing without shame.

*Note: A Special note of gratitude to the amazing beings who made the Diving in Deep retreat such a powerful week, and to Martin Shaw for his highly skilled wholehearted sharing of story and soul at the Consciousness Cafe January 26 at the Barrelhouse in Totnes as a part of the Transition Town Totnes Movement.

", "excerpt": "Embracing Natural Intelligence “This is a trickster moment in history,” the wonderful Martin Shaw asserts as he contextualizes the role of myth and story in our time. And it HAS been an extreme time...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551709474080-Y9BIESTKCOOHDPX0DO2N/wild-Dartmoor-Pony.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -953,7 +953,7 @@ "title": "The Dance of a Lifetime", "slug": "the-dance-of-a-lifetime", "link": "/blog/2012/1/18/the-dance-of-a-lifetime", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
My dad died just over 18 years ago at this time of year. I realize that qualifies as a lifetime ago. And rather poetically my son managed to be born on exactly the same day that my father died. We come. We go. (No pun intended.)

And every year at this time I think about my dad and these 2 juxtaposed life-altering experiences. Death. Birth. And what I am struck by this year is another favourite memory of my father…and how he may well have had a part in my deep love of dance. I don’t remember where we were when this happened. I am sure it happened on several occasions. I can tell you we were somewhere in the Midwest United States in the late 60’s or early 70’s.

I CAN remember the sensations and smells so clearly. The swooping feeling. The giddiness and grinning from ear to ear. The movement made my dark auburn curls sway back and forth. And then there was the dusty wooden floor and faint scent of women’s perfume and men’s shoe polish. The thrill and delight and ecstasy of feeling safe, supported, and cherished. My huge giant of a father waltzing me around the slightly dull worn oak dance floor with grace and ease and delight. And light is what I felt… both a physical weightless quality and a giddyness as well as a kind of unstoppable radiance beaming from my heart.

It’s the little things that matter. And as I remember and still grieve my father, this little memory brings me great joy in the deep dark grey of winter. So always remember dads, cherish your daughters. Let them stand on your shoes and dance them around the ballroom while you still can. The grace and beauty of that dance will last her whole life long.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nMy dad died just over 18 years ago at this time of year. I realize that qualifies as a lifetime ago. And rather poetically my son managed to be born on exactly the same day that my father died. We come. We go. (No pun intended.)

And every year at this time I think about my dad and these 2 juxtaposed life-altering experiences. Death. Birth. And what I am struck by this year is another favourite memory of my father…and how he may well have had a part in my deep love of dance. I don’t remember where we were when this happened. I am sure it happened on several occasions. I can tell you we were somewhere in the Midwest United States in the late 60’s or early 70’s.

I CAN remember the sensations and smells so clearly. The swooping feeling. The giddiness and grinning from ear to ear. The movement made my dark auburn curls sway back and forth. And then there was the dusty wooden floor and faint scent of women’s perfume and men’s shoe polish. The thrill and delight and ecstasy of feeling safe, supported, and cherished. My huge giant of a father waltzing me around the slightly dull worn oak dance floor with grace and ease and delight. And light is what I felt… both a physical weightless quality and a giddyness as well as a kind of unstoppable radiance beaming from my heart.

It’s the little things that matter. And as I remember and still grieve my father, this little memory brings me great joy in the deep dark grey of winter. So always remember dads, cherish your daughters. Let them stand on your shoes and dance them around the ballroom while you still can. The grace and beauty of that dance will last her whole life long.

", "excerpt": "My dad died just over 18 years ago at this time of year. I realize that qualifies as a lifetime ago. And rather poetically my son managed to be born on exactly the same day that my father died. We...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539863786-V191EE3IW4BGTFDR09HB/image-asset.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -968,7 +968,7 @@ "title": "Epic Bubble", "slug": "epic-bubbl", "link": "/blog/2012/1/5/epic-bubbl", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
The Wellcome gallery on Euston road, London has wonderfully curated exhibition of Mexican Votive paintings. At the end of the show, the curators invite viewers to contribute an experience they would like to see commemorated in a votive painting. I wrote a brief description (see below) and was touched and moved when I was contacted by illustrator Melanie Winning explaining she had used my story for a votive image. She also described how moved some of the viewers are and how touching it is. I am very touched to see Melanie’s interpretation of the energy of that experience. It feels very resonant and “true” as an authentic response to a heart being broken open into fullness. Thank you Melanie.
I would like to give thanks for the beauty and poignancy of my lover who died in my arms while we made love. He was young and fit and healthy. It was a rather new love so remains in a perfect trouble free bubble. He died of a massive heart attack, so I did not know he had died so much as…well..I thought he was just blissed out and happy and resting….having a tantric moment. The gratitude is not for his dying. That has taken me years to get over. The gratitude is for the grace with which he passed and the beauty of this experience for me. There was a huge blessing in being chosen to midwife this powerful passing… and for it to be without any constriction or pain. I will never be afraid of death and this experience, in many very real ways, gave me my life back in a much more vibrant and whole and real way.

Katheryn Trenshaw, Devon, 3 am Good Friday 2004. For Nigel and my son for his great patience for me at this time.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nThe Wellcome gallery on Euston road, London has wonderfully curated exhibition of Mexican Votive paintings. At the end of the show, the curators invite viewers to contribute an experience they would like to see commemorated in a votive painting. I wrote a brief description (see below) and was touched and moved when I was contacted by illustrator Melanie Winning explaining she had used my story for a votive image. She also described how moved some of the viewers are and how touching it is. I am very touched to see Melanie’s interpretation of the energy of that experience. It feels very resonant and “true” as an authentic response to a heart being broken open into fullness. Thank you Melanie.
I would like to give thanks for the beauty and poignancy of my lover who died in my arms while we made love. He was young and fit and healthy. It was a rather new love so remains in a perfect trouble free bubble. He died of a massive heart attack, so I did not know he had died so much as…well..I thought he was just blissed out and happy and resting….having a tantric moment. The gratitude is not for his dying. That has taken me years to get over. The gratitude is for the grace with which he passed and the beauty of this experience for me. There was a huge blessing in being chosen to midwife this powerful passing… and for it to be without any constriction or pain. I will never be afraid of death and this experience, in many very real ways, gave me my life back in a much more vibrant and whole and real way.

Katheryn Trenshaw, Devon, 3 am Good Friday 2004. For Nigel and my son for his great patience for me at this time.

", "excerpt": "The Wellcome gallery on Euston road, London has wonderfully curated exhibition of Mexican Votive paintings. At the end of the show, the curators invite viewers to contribute an experience they would...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551539916083-ANVANYJZIMLO98SJ77CS/epic-Bubble.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -983,7 +983,7 @@ "title": "Belonging and Longing for Home", "slug": "belonging-and-longing-for-home", "link": "/blog/2011/12/16/belonging-and-longing-for-home", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
December 16, 2011

“Nothing lasts forever, no-one lives forever. Keep that in mind and love.”

– Rabindranath Tagore

Somehow we’ve arrived here again at the doorway to the holiday season. For me, as an ex pat, this has a whole other layer. For instance: Since I’ve lived in Europe, I’ve come to appreciate the fact that this “holiday time” is extended to about 2 weeks versus a couple of days in the United States. This takes getting used to…still! Mostly this lengthened time is a very sane phenomenon where people gather with friends and family, feast, get stressed out intermittently from familial patterns, then go for long walks on Dartmoor and genuinely gather in around the hearth.

I have lived more away from “home” than I have lived in my country of origin. I recently was in Mexico and discovered that Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of immigrants. This symbol of radiant feminine force is everywhere! I was very touched by this as I come from a long line of immigrants. We are called aliens, nonnative, outsiders, expatriates and foreigners (from Latin alienus ‘belonging to another’). The archetype of Jesus as an “alien” baby is traditionally celebrated at Christmas. We are touched by this image of vulnerability of this young family who seek refuge and long for belonging.

I live in England and not a day goes by where people don’t ask, “Where are you from?” They presume I’m a tourist. I’ve lived in England for 21 years and 25 years in Europe. “Where are you from?” Becomes a really interesting question. Where were you born? Where are you did you grow up? Where did you go to high school? Where did you go to university? Where have you lived the longest? Where do you consider home? What does your passport say? What does your other passports say? These question all generate different answers.

Generally, at holidays, I’m away from my family. On the one hand I am saved from the stress and familial patterns that arise that most people endure over this time. On the other hand, I miss my family, I miss my long-term friends who are scattered about the globe and most of all I miss my culture and all of its associations at this juncture in the calendar. There are things that are awful too… in each culture. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the hyper-consumerism I miss for instance. It’s much more subtle than that. I’d love to say I’m immune to this romantic association I hold. But as I approach my late 40s, and all these years of living “away from home” I have surrendered to the fact that culture runs deep and it’s more helpful to understand what’s happening than to try and make something contorted of it.

And this year there is an extra layer on top. I have led a privileged life in many ways. Sometimes I forget this. But this year I have a constant reminder. A dear acquaintance of mine who has in fact been my my main masseur for over 20 years is dying. I have had the luxury of experiencing some of the best bodyworkers from around the globe. And this friend, who’s only 68, is the best there is. He had a toothache that wouldn’t go away and by the time he got to have the tooth extracted, he discovered that his body was riddled with cancer. The prognosis is bad. His choices are limited. It’s only a matter of time now. And isn’t that also true for all of us? Whether we have cancer or not. We all share the same life-threatening illness which is birth. Life is a sexually transmitted disease.

And how do we all live well until we die? I know that for those of us who are tending to this friend’s needs in our own unique ways, this is very stirring. It gives us pause. It gives me pause. I, more than most anyone I know, have lost many friends and family. Each time someone near to me is facing death or has died I am once again given the opportunity to consider how I’m spending my time and my disposition to this life.

So if, at this holiday time I feel loss because my family and friends are far away, I can take succor in the fact that there is simply discomfort happening. I do not have to make the problem. And as I feel into what is happening there is a wonderful thing that happens. The feeling that arises generally gives way to another, and another, and another. And when I bring this awareness, and stop trying to push the river, deep peace is all that I am left with. “Nothing” is what I am left with. Blissful whole true emptiness.

And when the search is over, like from my friend who is dying now, I am reminded that my impermanence is the gift that keeps on giving.

“Where are you from?” is still an interesting question. “Where are you from?” I’m from right here in as I am. I am dying. I am perfectly imperfect. I am home. Who can I reach out to and offer a sense of belonging and home and love?

Happy Holidays!

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nDecember 16, 2011

“Nothing lasts forever, no-one lives forever. Keep that in mind and love.”

– Rabindranath Tagore

Somehow we’ve arrived here again at the doorway to the holiday season. For me, as an ex pat, this has a whole other layer. For instance: Since I’ve lived in Europe, I’ve come to appreciate the fact that this “holiday time” is extended to about 2 weeks versus a couple of days in the United States. This takes getting used to…still! Mostly this lengthened time is a very sane phenomenon where people gather with friends and family, feast, get stressed out intermittently from familial patterns, then go for long walks on Dartmoor and genuinely gather in around the hearth.

I have lived more away from “home” than I have lived in my country of origin. I recently was in Mexico and discovered that Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of immigrants. This symbol of radiant feminine force is everywhere! I was very touched by this as I come from a long line of immigrants. We are called aliens, nonnative, outsiders, expatriates and foreigners (from Latin alienus ‘belonging to another’). The archetype of Jesus as an “alien” baby is traditionally celebrated at Christmas. We are touched by this image of vulnerability of this young family who seek refuge and long for belonging.

I live in England and not a day goes by where people don’t ask, “Where are you from?” They presume I’m a tourist. I’ve lived in England for 21 years and 25 years in Europe. “Where are you from?” Becomes a really interesting question. Where were you born? Where are you did you grow up? Where did you go to high school? Where did you go to university? Where have you lived the longest? Where do you consider home? What does your passport say? What does your other passports say? These question all generate different answers.

Generally, at holidays, I’m away from my family. On the one hand I am saved from the stress and familial patterns that arise that most people endure over this time. On the other hand, I miss my family, I miss my long-term friends who are scattered about the globe and most of all I miss my culture and all of its associations at this juncture in the calendar. There are things that are awful too… in each culture. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not the hyper-consumerism I miss for instance. It’s much more subtle than that. I’d love to say I’m immune to this romantic association I hold. But as I approach my late 40s, and all these years of living “away from home” I have surrendered to the fact that culture runs deep and it’s more helpful to understand what’s happening than to try and make something contorted of it.

And this year there is an extra layer on top. I have led a privileged life in many ways. Sometimes I forget this. But this year I have a constant reminder. A dear acquaintance of mine who has in fact been my my main masseur for over 20 years is dying. I have had the luxury of experiencing some of the best bodyworkers from around the globe. And this friend, who’s only 68, is the best there is. He had a toothache that wouldn’t go away and by the time he got to have the tooth extracted, he discovered that his body was riddled with cancer. The prognosis is bad. His choices are limited. It’s only a matter of time now. And isn’t that also true for all of us? Whether we have cancer or not. We all share the same life-threatening illness which is birth. Life is a sexually transmitted disease.

And how do we all live well until we die? I know that for those of us who are tending to this friend’s needs in our own unique ways, this is very stirring. It gives us pause. It gives me pause. I, more than most anyone I know, have lost many friends and family. Each time someone near to me is facing death or has died I am once again given the opportunity to consider how I’m spending my time and my disposition to this life.

So if, at this holiday time I feel loss because my family and friends are far away, I can take succor in the fact that there is simply discomfort happening. I do not have to make the problem. And as I feel into what is happening there is a wonderful thing that happens. The feeling that arises generally gives way to another, and another, and another. And when I bring this awareness, and stop trying to push the river, deep peace is all that I am left with. “Nothing” is what I am left with. Blissful whole true emptiness.

And when the search is over, like from my friend who is dying now, I am reminded that my impermanence is the gift that keeps on giving.

“Where are you from?” is still an interesting question. “Where are you from?” I’m from right here in as I am. I am dying. I am perfectly imperfect. I am home. Who can I reach out to and offer a sense of belonging and home and love?

Happy Holidays!

", "excerpt": "December 16, 2011 “Nothing lasts forever, no-one lives forever. Keep that in mind and love.” – Rabindranath Tagore Somehow we’ve arrived here again at the doorway to the holiday season. For me, as an...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551540063857-8UPBUL1ATEGODLNMPKH9/Our-Lady-Of-Guadalupe.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -998,7 +998,7 @@ "title": "Yoga of What Is", "slug": "yoga-of-what-is", "link": "/blog/2010/5/7/yoga-of-what-is", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
Having moments of calm in the midst of what seems to be some sort of existential crisis. Missed my yoga practice today AGAIN…Have not done much exercise in these last few challenging weeks… pitifully little. And yet, I had an inspired remembering moment standing outside of the locked Center door: I remembered to simply go about my numerous tasks as a yoga of presence practice. And I succeeded from time to time.

This is much more helpful, powerful and sustainable than all of my normal coping strategies…. that and to keep noticing what is actually happening and then, only then, considering actions that need to take place…. all the while focusing on how rather than what I am doing. Its a dance.

Right NOW, and as a direct result of remembering this again, I am loving THIS that is actually happening. It is sunny. I have “failed” to get as much work done today as I had hoped and done other things with great zest and joy. My son comes back in a few moments and I have no idea what I will cook. Oh, that is not true…I bought fresh scallops on the market today as well as bass fillets, fresh green beans and luscious French lemon zest and corianger dressed olives. The sun has been glorious and the grass I sowed is actually coming up all fresh and green in spite of the over hard soil from winter mud and clay content. The goldfish are beautiful under the changeable cloud specked sky like a mag

magnificent movie installation.

What’s more, all 5 chickens produced an egg today. And I am clutter clearing and spring cleaning.

Here is a slice of my life today.

Living this has a simple effect of opening my heart.

Simple.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nHaving moments of calm in the midst of what seems to be some sort of existential crisis. Missed my yoga practice today AGAIN…Have not done much exercise in these last few challenging weeks… pitifully little. And yet, I had an inspired remembering moment standing outside of the locked Center door: I remembered to simply go about my numerous tasks as a yoga of presence practice. And I succeeded from time to time.

This is much more helpful, powerful and sustainable than all of my normal coping strategies…. that and to keep noticing what is actually happening and then, only then, considering actions that need to take place…. all the while focusing on how rather than what I am doing. Its a dance.

Right NOW, and as a direct result of remembering this again, I am loving THIS that is actually happening. It is sunny. I have “failed” to get as much work done today as I had hoped and done other things with great zest and joy. My son comes back in a few moments and I have no idea what I will cook. Oh, that is not true…I bought fresh scallops on the market today as well as bass fillets, fresh green beans and luscious French lemon zest and corianger dressed olives. The sun has been glorious and the grass I sowed is actually coming up all fresh and green in spite of the over hard soil from winter mud and clay content. The goldfish are beautiful under the changeable cloud specked sky like a mag

magnificent movie installation.

What’s more, all 5 chickens produced an egg today. And I am clutter clearing and spring cleaning.

Here is a slice of my life today.

Living this has a simple effect of opening my heart.

Simple.

", "excerpt": "Having moments of calm in the midst of what seems to be some sort of existential crisis. Missed my yoga practice today AGAIN…Have not done much exercise in these last few challenging weeks… pitifully...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551540241610-9JS3RIQ05HXLPUNAZX7N/KO-fishPaint.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1013,7 +1013,7 @@ "title": "Mundane Magic", "slug": "mundane-magic", "link": "/blog/2010/5/1/mundane-magic", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I am eating the most amazing brunch all of which comes from my wonderful garden. Perky miniature fresh salad leaves of about 15 varieties along with chives create an oeuvre of color at the side of my orange and blue plate. The eggs I collected fresh and warm from the chickens lovingly called the collective “girls” are mixed with fresh rosemary and herbs. All this topped with Devon goats cheese and a bit of salsa prepared earlier from a jar. Magic!

PS Just so that all good things are in balance, I am also drinking the most exquisite coffee which comes from far far away ( Dubai in fact) which I bought on a stopover on the way back from India with my son in January. Lest anyone think I was too “good” in terms of carbon footprints in the sand, this should take care of that.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI am eating the most amazing brunch all of which comes from my wonderful garden. Perky miniature fresh salad leaves of about 15 varieties along with chives create an oeuvre of color at the side of my orange and blue plate. The eggs I collected fresh and warm from the chickens lovingly called the collective “girls” are mixed with fresh rosemary and herbs. All this topped with Devon goats cheese and a bit of salsa prepared earlier from a jar. Magic!

PS Just so that all good things are in balance, I am also drinking the most exquisite coffee which comes from far far away ( Dubai in fact) which I bought on a stopover on the way back from India with my son in January. Lest anyone think I was too “good” in terms of carbon footprints in the sand, this should take care of that.

", "excerpt": "I am eating the most amazing brunch all of which comes from my wonderful garden. Perky miniature fresh salad leaves of about 15 varieties along with chives create an oeuvre of color at the side of my...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551540316469-HLK8B3BRQDUE0P89SYGN/TrenshawChickens.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1028,7 +1028,7 @@ "title": "Be What You Are", "slug": "be-what-you-are", "link": "/blog/2010/4/29/be-what-you-are", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I remember lying in bed as a young teenager and deciding to hypnotize myself by saying these words:Be what you are, be what you are, be what you are. I said it hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times, the intention being to protect me from what I felt was going to take me away from myself. And to this day I still say that when I think I’m trying to fit somebody else’s expectations.”

– Kay Ryan, 16th Poet Laureate of the United States

How do we remember who we really are? It is funny since we are born knowing this very clearly… and slowly but surely, the forgetting begins. We learn to adopt attitudes related to what would be, could be, should be rather than what is. And forget some more.

And now that I am a mother, I am even more keen to return to source and re-unite once again with this BEing quality that not only remembers but never even forgot. A cohesive radiant wholeness that just is.

I want this for my son. He has taken to commending himself lately when he does something well by simply saying, “I am awesome!” and sweeping across the room into one of his graceful judo rolls. I want him to hold this when it is true and also celebrate him in it. Equally, I wish for him to know sadness when it is happening and feel it with equal vigor. That is less simple somehow…especially for a boy child. And we are both returning to the inspiring words of Kay Ryan to Be what we are whenever we can.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI remember lying in bed as a young teenager and deciding to hypnotize myself by saying these words:Be what you are, be what you are, be what you are. I said it hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of times, the intention being to protect me from what I felt was going to take me away from myself. And to this day I still say that when I think I’m trying to fit somebody else’s expectations.”

– Kay Ryan, 16th Poet Laureate of the United States

How do we remember who we really are? It is funny since we are born knowing this very clearly… and slowly but surely, the forgetting begins. We learn to adopt attitudes related to what would be, could be, should be rather than what is. And forget some more.

And now that I am a mother, I am even more keen to return to source and re-unite once again with this BEing quality that not only remembers but never even forgot. A cohesive radiant wholeness that just is.

I want this for my son. He has taken to commending himself lately when he does something well by simply saying, “I am awesome!” and sweeping across the room into one of his graceful judo rolls. I want him to hold this when it is true and also celebrate him in it. Equally, I wish for him to know sadness when it is happening and feel it with equal vigor. That is less simple somehow…especially for a boy child. And we are both returning to the inspiring words of Kay Ryan to Be what we are whenever we can.

", "excerpt": "I remember lying in bed as a young teenager and deciding to hypnotize myself by saying these words: Be what you are, be what you are, be what you are. I said it hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551540415380-VLNXRDLX01XLWJ88ASES/image-asset.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1043,7 +1043,7 @@ "title": "May Blossoms in London", "slug": "may-blossoms-in-london", "link": "/blog/2010/4/26/may-blossoms-in-london", - "content": "
I don’t know how to explain the joy that these tulips fill me with… but they just do. Heart opening irrepressible joy… Enjoy Spring!

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "I don’t know how to explain the joy that these tulips fill me with… but they just do. Heart opening irrepressible joy… Enjoy Spring!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "I don’t know how to explain the joy that these tulips fill me with… but they just do. Heart opening irrepressible joy… Enjoy Spring!", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551540454874-HVNLPRHL62ILMJM1EGRZ/image-asset.jpeg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1058,7 +1058,7 @@ "title": "108 Prayer Beads", "slug": "108-prayer-beds", "link": "/blog/2010/4/19/108-prayer-beds", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
108 beads on a prayer necklace them[1]. 108 beads on a rosary. 108 words. How about simply seeing if I can string together 108 words plus or minus a few as prose, a poem, a blog?

Scrap of a crescent moon is suspended against inky black sky. fifth day running for these rare Clear cloud light skies. The plumes of smoke from Icelandic volcanoes seem to be holding travelers hostage and Devon’s suspended in glorious sunny clear days.

And silent skies deafen as birds take up their songs again, undeterred by white noise in the background.

Another day passes. Slow waking from saddened heavy slumber. And yet, chickens get fed, cats spiral in on themselves, projects progress in their own haphazard and chaotic fashion, Logic of a higher source takes over, paperwork progresses barely scratching the surface… but the itch is slightly less as I piece together my life again.

Reinventing. Re-creating. Re-membering what perhaps I never knew.

Returning to source illuminated enough by a scrap of a crescent moon.

[1] Prayer beads or Rosaries are used by members of various religions such as Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,Buddhism, Sikhism, and Bahá’í Faith to count the repetitions of prayers,chants or devotions. They may also be used for meditation, protection from negative energy, or for relaxation.

The earliest use of prayer beads can be traced to Hinduism, where they are called Japa Mala. The most common mala have 108 beads.

Prayer beads From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_beads

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\n108 beads on a prayer necklace them[1]. 108 beads on a rosary. 108 words. How about simply seeing if I can string together 108 words plus or minus a few as prose, a poem, a blog?

Scrap of a crescent moon is suspended against inky black sky. fifth day running for these rare Clear cloud light skies. The plumes of smoke from Icelandic volcanoes seem to be holding travelers hostage and Devon’s suspended in glorious sunny clear days.

And silent skies deafen as birds take up their songs again, undeterred by white noise in the background.

Another day passes. Slow waking from saddened heavy slumber. And yet, chickens get fed, cats spiral in on themselves, projects progress in their own haphazard and chaotic fashion, Logic of a higher source takes over, paperwork progresses barely scratching the surface… but the itch is slightly less as I piece together my life again.

Reinventing. Re-creating. Re-membering what perhaps I never knew.

Returning to source illuminated enough by a scrap of a crescent moon.

[1] Prayer beads or Rosaries are used by members of various religions such as Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Hinduism,Buddhism, Sikhism, and Bahá’í Faith to count the repetitions of prayers,chants or devotions. They may also be used for meditation, protection from negative energy, or for relaxation.

The earliest use of prayer beads can be traced to Hinduism, where they are called Japa Mala. The most common mala have 108 beads.

Prayer beads From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_beads

", "excerpt": "108 beads on a prayer necklace them [1] . 108 beads on a rosary. 108 words. How about simply seeing if I can string together 108 words plus or minus a few as prose, a poem, a blog? Scrap of a...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551709404526-FL4GMN3BJCG4NBEETC40/chimayo007.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1073,7 +1073,7 @@ "title": "Lavender harvest", "slug": "lavender-harvest", "link": "/blog/2009/7/25/lavender-harvest", - "content": "
Today was the day. Today in spite of the “To Do” list longer than my arm, I harvested the Lavender. I have 3 glorious big bushy explosions of this sweet smelling intoxication in my front garden.

It is so simple: Take the herb cutting scissors from the jar in the kitchen with the pencils, pens and spare screwdriver, open the front door to sun sprayed pond area, and proceed to cut in small bunches these delightful tall slender flowers to dry and enjoy for the months to come.

I took my time to make a cup of fresh delicious coffee to accompany my task and savored the mixture of “java” smell and pungent oily sweetness. I lay them all together with such simple joy. Flower heads on top, thinner stems at the bottom. I love this harvest. I relish in these simple small pleasures in my year. I, more than anything, am glad I was there for it. Really present with the process.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "Today was the day. Today in spite of the “To Do” list longer than my arm, I harvested the Lavender. I have 3 glorious big bushy explosions of this sweet smelling intoxication in my front garden.

It is so simple: Take the herb cutting scissors from the jar in the kitchen with the pencils, pens and spare screwdriver, open the front door to sun sprayed pond area, and proceed to cut in small bunches these delightful tall slender flowers to dry and enjoy for the months to come.

I took my time to make a cup of fresh delicious coffee to accompany my task and savored the mixture of “java” smell and pungent oily sweetness. I lay them all together with such simple joy. Flower heads on top, thinner stems at the bottom. I love this harvest. I relish in these simple small pleasures in my year. I, more than anything, am glad I was there for it. Really present with the process.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "Today was the day. Today in spite of the “To Do” list longer than my arm, I harvested the Lavender. I have 3 glorious big bushy explosions of this sweet smelling intoxication in my front garden. It...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551707621293-7A6OM7RUJEF9AUD5363B/Lavender-KTrenshaw.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1088,7 +1088,7 @@ "title": "Collage Artist in Her Studio", "slug": "collage-artist-in-her-studio", "link": "/blog/2009/6/16/collage-artist-in-her-studio", - "content": "
I have come to see that at my core I am a collage artist. I collage together images and cuttings, sketches and paint, objects on a fireplace and vases in a grouping “just so” on a windowsill. And I also collage groups together. I take great joy in finding people who match and go together. I have even been “yenta” to more successful couples than I would like to admit.

And, it is a gift that I have and am exploring further in my studio practice. To that end, I would like to share here a little taste of a day in the studio working on a collage book.

Enjoy!

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"/", + "content": "I have come to see that at my core I am a collage artist. I collage together images and cuttings, sketches and paint, objects on a fireplace and vases in a grouping “just so” on a windowsill. And I also collage groups together. I take great joy in finding people who match and go together. I have even been “yenta” to more successful couples than I would like to admit.

And, it is a gift that I have and am exploring further in my studio practice. To that end, I would like to share here a little taste of a day in the studio working on a collage book.

Enjoy!

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \"\"", "excerpt": "I have come to see that at my core I am a collage artist. I collage together images and cuttings, sketches and paint, objects on a fireplace and vases in a grouping “just so” on a windowsill. And I...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551707729858-53G966FUZP0KKP6FXYJD/KatherynTrensahwCollageBlueArt.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1103,7 +1103,7 @@ "title": "The secret to a sustainable life of bees and humans", "slug": "the-secret-to-a-sustainable-life-of-bees-and-humans", "link": "/blog/2009/5/20/the-secret-to-a-sustainable-life-of-bees-and-humans", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I have always been fascinated by bees and their community behavior. I am touched by the simplicity of daily acts with clear purpose, ease and focus. What bliss. I would like to spend my day as a bee this day. One flower at a time offering and gathering. This strikes me as true sustainability on the deepest level.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI have always been fascinated by bees and their community behavior. I am touched by the simplicity of daily acts with clear purpose, ease and focus. What bliss. I would like to spend my day as a bee this day. One flower at a time offering and gathering. This strikes me as true sustainability on the deepest level.", "excerpt": "I have always been fascinated by bees and their community behavior. I am touched by the simplicity of daily acts with clear purpose, ease and focus. What bliss. I would like to spend my day as a bee...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551708765784-WSRS2DSY1HGUC57HK1RU/great-plant-hunt-Bee-flie-011.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1118,7 +1118,7 @@ "title": "Unmasking the Mask-Maker", "slug": "unmasking-the-mask-maker", "link": "/blog/2009/5/12/unmasking-the-mask-maker", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “You do not need to leave your room… Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quite still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”\n
\n
— Frank Kafka (1883-1924)
\n
\n\n\n
Unmasked, the she creates our many faces. She spins archetypes from golden threaded fingers deeply rooted into her beating heart. She sculpts in clay and paper, tissue and wire. Reds splatter, gold radiates hot heart heat, and copper instigates a turn of the jowl. Pinks, deep greens, lush blues and turquoise highlight the moods and foods on which our souls feast.

Splits and sculpts, twists and turns, shapes and sands, paints and glazes until the media shape shift. She births hundreds of visages – yours and mine. She squeezes them out just as her own son from between her thighs for us.

Darkness and mulch, tortured and mute, constricted and free falling, held back, bewildered and bemused, revolving, unsolving, involving, unwinding, resigning, perplexing, non-plussing, shocking, slapping, loaded and loved. Hidden silent faces…until now. Concealed…then revealed. Burning through until all that is left underneath – layer after layer after layer, is light and fire and shine and burned willing already-ness. Space. Raw. Real. Openness.

\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “You do not need to leave your room… Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quite still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked. It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”\n
\n
— Frank Kafka (1883-1924)
\n
\n\n\n Unmasked, the she creates our many faces. She spins archetypes from golden threaded fingers deeply rooted into her beating heart. She sculpts in clay and paper, tissue and wire. Reds splatter, gold radiates hot heart heat, and copper instigates a turn of the jowl. Pinks, deep greens, lush blues and turquoise highlight the moods and foods on which our souls feast.

Splits and sculpts, twists and turns, shapes and sands, paints and glazes until the media shape shift. She births hundreds of visages – yours and mine. She squeezes them out just as her own son from between her thighs for us.

Darkness and mulch, tortured and mute, constricted and free falling, held back, bewildered and bemused, revolving, unsolving, involving, unwinding, resigning, perplexing, non-plussing, shocking, slapping, loaded and loved. Hidden silent faces…until now. Concealed…then revealed. Burning through until all that is left underneath – layer after layer after layer, is light and fire and shine and burned willing already-ness. Space. Raw. Real. Openness.

", "excerpt": "“ You do not need to leave your room… Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait. Do not even wait, be quite still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to...", "featuredImage": "https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5aef40c1cc8feda235a99bb6/1551708919821-1MQN9SG3S3H9E61P7PD8/IMG_2461.jpg?format=original", "images": [ @@ -1133,7 +1133,7 @@ "title": "The Queen of Nothingness", "slug": "the-queen-of-nothingness", "link": "/blog/2009/4/20/the-queen-of-nothingness", - "content": "\"\"/\n \n\n\n\n
I open the back door of my end of terrace home, as I do most mornings, and traipse up bleary eyed to feed the 5 toffee coloured chickens at the back of the garden.

There are five hens and they never fail to delight in my approach. They literally trip over each other, leaping and flapping into the air, making those cute clucky chicken sounds that chickens make. Their interest in me shifts to the grain I scoop out and spread over the spacious muddy run and they compete for mixed grains and layers pellets. “The girls” then simply get on with their chicken life, doing their simple satisfied chickens dance.

This simple daily act, like so many, can be full of mystery and wonder. So can unlocking the door, breathing in the first fresh burst of air from the misty spring morning, walking across the grass barefoot up the steps and around the bike shed to the chicken run. Then, on the way, if I am awake and aware, I have the opportunity to be touched by the beauty of luscious grape hyacinths, creamy delicate primroses, sunny daffodils and divine smelling miniature pinkish-red tulips I planted just last year. They all dance in artistically balanced arrangements. They seem to delight in their own existence. They certainly do not seem to be worried if they “look ok in this outfit.”

And who is to say that what’s more, they do not revel and find wonder also in my presentation before them? Who am I to be any less radiant and alive than the thousands of humble primroses dotted throughout this ¾ acre garden that I steward? How can I possibly be less beautiful than this shiny golden orb of the “dent de lion” – exquisite and perfectly formed. I even wonder about making dandelion wine this year. The elderflower wine was a huge success. What the heck?

In these clear moments of feeling awake and alive here in this space and place, I am aware that my Queen-domis vast and full – and completely empty.

It is only in knowing this space and emptiness that is the foundation of everything that I am free and whole. From this deep foundation, I am the Queen of Nothing, and it delights me.

There is only this. I cultivate the longing for this moment. For what is happening now. Here. For what is real.

This is enough. On a good day, the chickens and the primroses and the cool grass under the souls of my feet nourish and enliven me for days. THIS is enough. When I let go of attachments to any of this being mine, the world becomes a queen-dom – vast beyond measure and unending. As soon as things become mine again in my mind (pains, accomplishments, failures, relationships) my world seems to shrink back and suffering is the norm, at least half of the time when the pendulum swings that direction.

When I cultivate longing for this moment, this tender and vulnerable tenacious dandelion swaying against the azure sky is all that there is. Empty and full. If I can also let this moment die, I can breathe in the next.

When emptiness is my foundation, source can flow freely and fiercely through that space and out through me.

Empty Wisdom takes on a whole wonderful new meaning!

I am the Queen of Nothing. I open the back door to the morning garden and the dandelion waves it’s good day to me with a toothy grin. I am filled with awe for this gentle servant. I bow down and carry on with my morning ablutions.

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Now I am light.
Now I fly.
Now I see myself under me.
Now God dances through me.”\n
\n
— Friedrich Nietzsche
\n
", + "content": "\"\"\n \n\n\n\nI open the back door of my end of terrace home, as I do most mornings, and traipse up bleary eyed to feed the 5 toffee coloured chickens at the back of the garden.

There are five hens and they never fail to delight in my approach. They literally trip over each other, leaping and flapping into the air, making those cute clucky chicken sounds that chickens make. Their interest in me shifts to the grain I scoop out and spread over the spacious muddy run and they compete for mixed grains and layers pellets. “The girls” then simply get on with their chicken life, doing their simple satisfied chickens dance.

This simple daily act, like so many, can be full of mystery and wonder. So can unlocking the door, breathing in the first fresh burst of air from the misty spring morning, walking across the grass barefoot up the steps and around the bike shed to the chicken run. Then, on the way, if I am awake and aware, I have the opportunity to be touched by the beauty of luscious grape hyacinths, creamy delicate primroses, sunny daffodils and divine smelling miniature pinkish-red tulips I planted just last year. They all dance in artistically balanced arrangements. They seem to delight in their own existence. They certainly do not seem to be worried if they “look ok in this outfit.”

And who is to say that what’s more, they do not revel and find wonder also in my presentation before them? Who am I to be any less radiant and alive than the thousands of humble primroses dotted throughout this ¾ acre garden that I steward? How can I possibly be less beautiful than this shiny golden orb of the “dent de lion” – exquisite and perfectly formed. I even wonder about making dandelion wine this year. The elderflower wine was a huge success. What the heck?

In these clear moments of feeling awake and alive here in this space and place, I am aware that my Queen-domis vast and full – and completely empty.

It is only in knowing this space and emptiness that is the foundation of everything that I am free and whole. From this deep foundation, I am the Queen of Nothing, and it delights me.

There is only this. I cultivate the longing for this moment. For what is happening now. Here. For what is real.

This is enough. On a good day, the chickens and the primroses and the cool grass under the souls of my feet nourish and enliven me for days. THIS is enough. When I let go of attachments to any of this being mine, the world becomes a queen-dom – vast beyond measure and unending. As soon as things become mine again in my mind (pains, accomplishments, failures, relationships) my world seems to shrink back and suffering is the norm, at least half of the time when the pendulum swings that direction.

When I cultivate longing for this moment, this tender and vulnerable tenacious dandelion swaying against the azure sky is all that there is. Empty and full. If I can also let this moment die, I can breathe in the next.

When emptiness is my foundation, source can flow freely and fiercely through that space and out through me.

Empty Wisdom takes on a whole wonderful new meaning!

I am the Queen of Nothing. I open the back door to the morning garden and the dandelion waves it’s good day to me with a toothy grin. I am filled with awe for this gentle servant. I bow down and carry on with my morning ablutions.

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n
\n
\n “Now I am light.
Now I fly.
Now I see myself under me.
Now God dances through me.”\n
\n
— Friedrich Nietzsche
\n
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