Coalescences
Gathering winds whisk me more and more. A few leaves remain branch bound in defiance, yet fall continues to descend. I can taste the silence and stillness of winter on the horizon, yet my present is still born on crisp gusts. I find myself enchanted by the swings of temperature, lost in the emotions of nature, circling more my own internal notions. I can see first snow falls and smell cinnamon spice reaching back before I can remember, but most of all I hear the ringing of the future and the past reaching far. This time connects me fore and back like no other, a mirror, where my reflection is most clear, a measurement against times most dear.
I recollect moments of cheer and challenge, like a squirrel stuffing acorns in its cheeks. I question if I can hold another memory in heart, or if it’s time to put this batch down and again restart. In this inquiry, I can feel the season turning gentler. I rejoice in the space to collage inside myself, before the solstice gatherings, held in humans’ heart since they knew to speak it, bring us together around our celebrations of lights. Work and play, friends and family, or in solitude with our ancestors, we join some wave at height, ready to break upon the new year. Some wave of wishes, handed down in joy, willing us to integrate the year in cheer.
Life around packing in, bundling up, and going to ground, also hands me this present. From the simple walk in that tucked away comfy sock, to the sleeping somber yet stoic trees, to the slipping on the slick of sidewalk leaves, to the rushing by of cardinal’s red wing, I hear great nature’s great sigh. Not downtrodden or dejected with the turning of the tide, rather a beautiful acceptance. A trust in the fruits, fallen and fresh, to carry us through. The breath of the year always moves me so -- gathered of air, now free to let go. So, I go about this time in rhyme, collecting scattered things, both inside and out, listening deep to their sound, and knitting them together -- a gathering.
From Our Oracles
The earthy aspect of water is infinitely nurturing and kind, adapting with stability, co-creating harmony. Recognize that dealmaking is an egoic pattern, as it places us in opposition to ourself and others. The bleakness of viewing life as a zero sum game blocks us from sustainable change. Dealmaking conditions us to be dishonest. Great nature provides, not the social structure. Opportunities arrive as gifts, and are not forced — like water crystalizing into snow. The silence and stillness of snowfall makes no deal with the cold. It is a gift.
It is an illusion that virtues need to be memorized. Virtue naturally arises by listening to inner truth. This applies to every person, especially those who we view as virtueless. The “virtue” of sacrifice is simply egoic dealmaking, while naturally arising sacrifice is a harmonious part of life.
Some Happenings
We are excited to be hosting a New Year Sound Meditation at the Shantideva Center in Park Slope on Thursday January 5th, 7:15-9:00PM. The experience is suitable for beginner and experienced meditators alike, as the sound facilitates an easeful dropping in without the need of a complex intellectual technique. We will begin with a brief talk before lying down with the support of bolsters and blankets, wearing an eye mask. After which, gentle breathwork and vocalizing will prepare the body and mind to receive and engage with sound. Join us in disengaging from discursive thought and experiencing a state of wordless transcendence, and leave relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for 2023!
Adrian hosts a breathwork and sound meditation experience every Wednesday at 7:45PM at Happie Space. Come breakthrough into expanded states of consciousness through deep rhythmic breathwork and recharge with blissfully meditative sounds. Reserve your spot using the Happie Space App (iOS, Android), MindBody, or ClassPass.
We will also be hosting a private extended sound meditation early February. If this sounds interesting to you, we encourage you to reach out.
Something Delicious
A wonderful seasonal treat we’ve been loving recently is eggnog cacao! Combine all ingredients in a pot or pan, and stir with a wooden spoon or automatic whisker until silky smooth. We like Cacao Labs, but any ceremonial cacao will do wonderfully!
Half eggnog
Half water
A couple grams (2-4 tbsp) of shaved cacao per person
Dash of salt and pepper
Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste
Some Sound
A sansula + ocean drum meditation
Some Links
🫰 How the Brain Allows the Deaf to Experience Music
🎅🏼 Brazilian musician Hermeto Pascoal plays his beard and other things
☎️ In a Lonely World, They’re Here to Listen
We’ve been listening to:
Mother of Souls by Estas Tonne & Liat Zion
N’yanyan by Jacknife Lee & Rokia Koné
Host of Seraphim by Dead Can Dance
Lullaby for the Travelling Child by Mehdi Aminian and Mohamad Zatari
Dreams Of A Dying City by Rabih Abou-Khalil
Some Words
This way comes A forbidden feeling Left me reeling Peeling back laminated Layers Rich with butter Dipped in coffee Free to dissolve away Leaving me in a gentle sway Feeling some way coming A forgiven feeling Appealing