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Alternative Names for the New Moon in January | |
Ojibwe /Chippewa: Great Spirit Moon
Chinese: Holiday Moon
Cherokee: Cold Moon
Choctaw: Cooking Moon
Colonial American: Winter Moon
Dakota Sioux: Moon of the terrible
Celtic: Quite Moon
English Medieval: Wolf Moon
Neo Pagan: Ice
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| Dear Michael, | |
According to the Chippewa and the Ojibwe, we are entering the month of the Great Spirit Moon. It is cold, dark and unequivocally wintertime. We find ourselves, especially those of us in the north, rushing to and fro, then trying to get back to our homes as quickly as possible.
Something about darkness and chill brings a sense of untended stillness and the feeling of a void. At this juncture, it's important to remember that although feelings of emptiness end up leaving their mark and can take a toll on us, a pause is as important as the movements that surround it. The fact is, there is no such thing as a void. For when our consciousness enters an empty space it is immediately filled.
As usual, there is a more skillful way to view this season. But, again it requires that we shift, or better yet, expand our awareness. Indeed, though we may not be able to see or hear anything in a given moment, there is still something out there, and we know it. The key is to find a way to appreciate the space that is held for us and to use this powerful time of quiet to incorporate that force of the Great Spirit into our lives.
Michael
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Consider This...Skillful Reflection | |
Consider again the term "great spirit moon" and think for a minute about this moon's namesake. It carries an air of mysticism, but, at the same time, it is truly practical in its meaning and interpretation. On the surface, mid-winter can feel like one giant, empty expanse of quiet, but if we look deeper, we'll recognize that there is a lot that is happening.
What if I told you that a quiet, empty space, isn't necessarily empty at all? Since matter cannot be created or destroyed, we should accept the fact that spaces that are seemingly empty are actually filled with something else entirely. The challenge is learning to refocus our attention on the way things are by confronting and challenging, even dispelling, the common "myths" about the "laws" of the universe. Overcoming the parochial understanding of nature that tries to reduce everything into something that is "tangible" and ultimately controllable will bring us great insight and help us find better balance.
As an example, you might find darkness challenging and silence difficult, but you can also take solace in the notion that it's natural to be lonely in empty spaces. A fresh perspective--departing from feelings of void--exercising the ability to make use of the quiet and space, is brilliant and truly Skillful.
Simple in its point, this lesson beautifully and poignantly illustrates the perspective shift that transforms negative into positive, emptiness into fullness, and division into unity. With this idea in mind, we no longer have to view all our slip-ups, missed opportunities, transgressions and failures as "mistakes," despite our culturally prescribed "norms," biases and habits. The truth lies beyond our definitions and the constraints of our limited measurements and words. Indeed, by embracing the "emptiness" one can find this truth and learn to live freely.
Please share your thoughts...
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Advice from the Skillful Doctor | |
Question:
When my daughter left for college for the first time it was difficult. Eventually I came to terms with it, but now, 3 years later, when she went back to school after this year's winter break, it was more difficult than ever. I don't know if it's Seasonal Affective Disorder, the cold and darkness of the winter, or something else entirely, but I now find myself even more lonely and restless since she went back last week. I have this overwhelming feeling of sadness and my house just feels empty. How do I get over this and make the empty feeling go away?
Answer:
There's no question that bidding adieu to our children when they go back to school can be difficult--at any time. Often, having them back at home during winter recess seems nothing short of fleeting, leaving us longing for more.
However, though you are at a loss and still searching, the void your daughter has left can be filled with something else to hold her place. Just remind yourself how we know with certainty that air itself fills much of the empty space around us without our ability to actually see it? And, in the same way, have faith that the void created by your daughter's departure is already filled. The practical question is can you find out and learn to appreciate what's in it.
Because our primary thinking mind is often consumed with the emotions that flood us under states of duress, I would suggest that you seek the answer to this question in a more abstract way. Study your dreams, or find a way to get under the surface into your subconscious mind. What images appear? What are your intuitive senses whispering to you? Here is where a "conceptual answer" might present itself that will restore comfort and meaning to your experience. Eventually, if you are successful, you will see both your daughter's coming and going as blessings. By finding a way to connect with whatever is filling the "empty" space, you can find the relief that you seek.
Please submit your own question here. |
Announcements |
- The last three episodes of The Skillful Living Room will be available here. Each episode is actually posted the day after they air. You can, of course, listen live, by tuning into the "listen live" link above.
- And, the SunRaven Book Club "Series" is set to begin on Tuesday, January 24th. The Book will be our friend, Dr. Jeffrey Rubin's book: The Art of Flourishing. This will tip off the season series on Love & Light. Hold the dates for subsequent meeting on February 28, March 27, April 24 and May 24. For more information, write to: bookclub@sunraven.org.
- A new Couples Program: Skillful Relationships will begin in February. These monthly meetings, on the First Thursday of the month, will take couples to a new level in their partnership. There will be a free introductory gathering on Thursday February 2nd. For more information go to www.transcendenceatsunraven.com or write to: info@transcendenceatsunraven.com.
- Finally, hold the date for the next SunRaven Group Juice Fast (to celebrate the arrival of Spring....bet you can't wait)....Thursday March 22 to Monday March 26th. For more information, email: juicefast@sunraven.org.
- And, don't forget to follow your dreams, and join us as we discuss them with our friend Warren Falcon, at the next SunRaven Dream Group meeting on Tuesday, February 7th. For more information write to: info@transcendenceatsunraven.com .
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FINALLY! A New Thought for the New Moon
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I close this letter with these new thoughts for the New Moon...
"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." ~Maya Angelou
Michael Finkelstein
SunRaven
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 The Next Installment: Full Moon
February 7, 2012
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