Author: Frances

This is a neighborhood in Cuenca, and if you look closely, you’ll see a small part of the Rio Yanuncay – although, at first I thought it was the Paucarbamba. However, one day a taxi driver explained the flow of the rivers to me, in Spanish, and pointed to the one in question, and I managed to catch, it’s the Yanuncay. Better to go along with him than me. And in the background are the beloved mountains that can be gorgeous, solemn, seemingly threatening, dramatic, or, at a moment’s notice, become invisible – depending on the weather and the time of day they’re seen. Getting up in the morning and looking at these two beauties of nature while enjoying a cup of coffee makes me want to dance around the wrap-around- terrace.

The apartment where I’m temporarily staying is in an Ecuadorian neighborhood in a lovely area having friendly people. And when I need a translator someone seems to be right there at my side speaking English. And this gringo is grateful for so much help. When I gave up my apartment located across from the Mercado San Francisco in El Centro to condo-sit, so to speak, for a friend who had to leave for a while, I willingly took a chance for the splendid views, the Chi machine my friend left, and for the wonderful experience. I’m trusting that at the end of two-months another delightful place with a view of the mountains, or the river, or both, will be mine. I trust. Oh, yes!

I hope your day was all you wanted it to be.

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“You have the answer to every problem in the recesses of your mind.
The filters of the world just get in the way.
Feel your inner voice.” Kaya Wittenburg

“Hurry is a manifestation of fear. He who fears not has plenty of time.”
– Wallace Wattles

I can’t remember how many times I read Autobiography of a Yogi through the years. So, when I read the following on Kimberly Rinaldi’s blog, by way of twitter, and it said “Share The Knowledge” I gladly decided to do just that. www.KimberlyRinaldi.com
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A few weeks ago I was graciously invited to join a group of my fellow spiritually connected friends for an afternoon in the Malibu area. Our first order of the day: a trip to Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades. This gorgeous place has been around longer than I have.

I am almost embarrassed to say I have passed it dozens, if not hundreds, of times in my life and never even knew it was there. I was moved by the peace, serenity and beauty of this place. We were all able to get a quiet meditation in and share the beauty of the locale with good friends. I know I will return and I highly recommend you make the trip as well.

The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine is a mere few blocks walking distance from the Pacific Ocean, on Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, California. On the weekend its tiny parking lot is often full, so walk you might. But trust me, it’s well worth the hike up hill.

Founded by Paramahansa Yogananda, yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Since 1950, this 10-acre site with gardens and natural spring-fed lake has been home to a variety of flora and fauna, including swans, ducks, koi, lotus flowers and rose garden. Try to find a place devoid of peace and beauty here, it’s impossible.

The grounds also include the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, where a portion of Gandhi’s ashes are enshrined, a small museum with exhibits on Paramahansa Yogananda’s work, some of his collections, a Dutch windmill converted into a chapel (if you can, spend some time in here the energy is amazing) and a gift shop with arts and crafts from India.

The rose garden is home to the Court of Religions featuring the symbols of the five principal religions of the world: a cross for Christianity, a Star of David for Judaism, a Wheel of Law for Buddhism, a Crescent Moon & Star for Islam, and the Om symbol for Hinduism.

No one will bother you here. No one will preach at you, lecture you, or try to convert you. The grounds are open to the public and are as non-intimidating as a park. The gardens are designed to offer peace and serenity to all visitors, of all faiths; a spot where you can relax amidst the natural surroundings and contemplate the mysteries and miracles of life. My preference is weekday visits due to the parking constraints and fewer visitors, but either weekend or weekday, this is a must visit.

Address
17190 Sunset Boulevard
Pacific Palisades, California 90272-3099
Telephone: (310) 454-4114

Hours of operation
Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Mondays and holidays closed

Posted on May 13, 2013

Have you heard of Barnet Bain? He’s produced and written screenplays for a number of wonderful movies. And he’s making a movie called Milton’s Secret with Eckhart Tolle and Robert Friedman – the writers of the book the movie is based on. Milton’s Secret is a children’s movie. I like children’s movies – a lot of adults do; so we’re in.

Recently I watched Lilou Mace interviewing Barnet Bain on the juicyliving website, and enjoyed hearing words like transformation, spirituality, consciousness being discussed. It was nice!

Barnet Bain said that Milton’s Secret will have “crowd funding” backing it, therefore, it’ll “stay true to the values in the book . . . ” and he said . . . “The inside of the characters change, unlike hollywood movies where the outside life of the characters change.”

Want to have a delicious treat? Check out the Lilou Mace interview at www.juicylivingtour.com.
and all the happenings at www.barnetbain.com . . . and www.miltonssecretmovie.com

Now, are you ready for an amazing day? I know I am.

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“If you don’t like the world you see outside, try and perfect the one you find within.”
– Simon Boylan

” . . . Be your own lamp,” he said. “Seek no other refuge but yourselves. Let Truth be your guide.”
– the Buddha (from the movie, The Story of India with Michael Wood)

“You have the answers to every problem in the recesses of your mind. The filters of the world
just get in the way. Feel your inner voice.”
– Kaya Wittenburg

Three weeks ago I got a text from my daughter Emi asking if I did oil pulling in the morning. Hmm, whatever could that be? I asked myself. And wrote a text back saying “No, what is oil pulling?” She responded with this, “Put about 2 teaspoons of a high quality oil, coconut, olive, sesame, on a spoon, put in your mouth, and swish for 20 minutes.” Then she forwarded www.wellnessmama.com to me for a more thorough explanation – search “Oil Pulling for Oral Health.”

Wellness Mama has the oil pulling story down pat, here is a portion of it, and for the rest of the story, click onto the website.
“What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is an age-old remedy that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. It has the added effect of whitening teeth naturally and evidence even shows that it is beneficial in improving gums and removing harmful bacteria!

“The basic idea is that oil is swished in the mouth for a short time each day and that this action helps improve oral health. Just as with Oil Cleansing for the skin, the principle of “like dissolves like” applies, as oil is able to cut through plaque and remove toxins without disturbing the teeth or gums.

“The practice of oil pulling started in India thousands of years ago, and from my research, was first introduced to the United States in the early 1990s by a medical doctor named Dr. F. Karach, who used it with success in his medical practice.”

Some people have said to me, “I can’t do that for 20 minutes every morning!” Actually, once in a routine it’s rather easy, and think of the benefits. Everything doesn’t have to come to a halt while you’re swishing. Keep doing what you normally do to get going in the morning, while swishing and swishing. AND after 20 minutes, spit out in a garbage can, rinse with salt water, and brush teeth.

Are you having a lovely Thursday? I hope so.

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@Philo_Notes: What I want for myself, I want for everybody. #WallaceWattles

In Cuenca, Ecuador every day is an adventure, learning Spanish, new people to meet, discovering new places, streets, museums, and where to have lunch for $2.50 – always learning.
And every day I sit, relax, breathe easily, and sometimes deeply, and read beautiful words, such as these tweets which today are:

“Live life fully while you’re here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You’re going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don’t try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.” ~ Anthony Robbins

“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.” ~ Harvey Fierstein

Where thou art – that – is Home. Emily Dickinson ~ When you’re at home in your own skin, you can go anywhere and feel instantly at home.

“For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping, as nourishing as eating. Our motto: “I’m okay, you’re okay—in small doses.” ~ Jonathan Rauch

Make an assumption, misunderstand, take it personally, and end up creating a whole big drama for nothing. #DonMiguelRuiz

The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease. ~Voltaire

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How do you want this day to be for you?

When we see words that are sincerely and lovingly written, having years of experience backing them up, they have to be shared.

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From –
Facebook
Louise L. Hay

Take time to ask and explore these simple questions:

What shall I now release from my life?

What or who no longer works for me?

What am I holding on to that holds me back?

What thoughts or beliefs belong to the old me?

How am I being unloving to myself?

Am I ready to let go?

What do I believe that really works for me?

What is going on in my life that is terrific and wonderful?

Where am I being very loving to myself?

Where am I most content?

Let me acknowledge myself for all the growth and change.

What do I want to bring to my life?

What do I want to create?

How do I want the next year to be?

Who do I want to bring into my world?

How do I want to look?

What image do I want to project?

How healthy do I want to be?

How prosperous do I want to feel?

How much love am I willing to experience?

What kind of world do I want to live in?

Where do I want my spirituality to go?

Affirm:

I know that where I am is the totality of possibilities . . . not just a few possibilities, but the totality of all creation.

I am not limited by statistics, medical opinions, time, or authorities.

I am one with the infinite wisdom and capabilities of the Universe itself.

All good is available to me, right here and right now.

All I have to do is to use the power of my thoughts to create that which I desire. I know that. Now let me live it!