Healing Ourselves and Each Other

2010-06-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ho'oponopono and Love-making

2009-12-25T20:53:00.000-08:00

my beloved, saudade was introduced to dr. hew len by mama mab-el. at first look the simplicity of this method can seen of questionable value, but we have a testimony of its' value and authenticity in our lives.

all of our thoughts, memories, ideas...everything in our experiences leave "data"/ dead information in our soul. when we clean by saying and writing "i love you (xyz past memory), please forgive me (xyz past memory), thank you (xyz past memory) i release you (xyz past memory) to such a degree that we dwell in a state of direct experience and FREEDOM.

saudade practiced the "cleaning" and it was immediately noticable that there was something different in her spirit. when we layed down to share a nap, our shared-nap turned into sweet lovemaking! it was passionate, intense, fluid, warm, wet, pleasurable, healing, vocal, communal, prayerful and necessary! it's amazing how her "cleaning" affected my mood and enabled me to release my pain and love her and receive her love. one thing about Ho' opononpono is that it makes each one of us 100% responsible for herself and frees space in the soul for more inspiration and creativity. as artists and healers, this is/will continue to be our saving grace.

"i am absolutely clear in my soul that the divinity has given me one more chance to make amends for whatever is going on with me. i'm clear that my only purpose is to free myself..so that I can be free and be once more.....be aligned with the light... and be enlightened..."- Dr Hew Len who we affectionately refer to as "uncle" ;)

For more on Ho'oponopono, click here

this was our christmas; the best christmas of my life!

india

Catching and Tasting Rainwater

2009-12-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's my goal to honor and celebrate the teachings and legacy of my indigenous culture on this planet and do the work that cultivates seeds of wisdom so that I may participate in restoring balance within my SELF and on earth. Tonight I caught some rainwater with my bare hands, prayed over my gift, and tasted my blessing. I am remembering my youth when I would jump in the air to catch rainwater with my tongue. I would play this game with myself, seeing how many drops I could catch without leaving my seat. This, along with other games I created, planted seeds in my imagination and fostered my creative talents. No worries of pollution or chem trails; just enjoying my time in the rain.Every direction I turn tells me that I have to connect with the natural world, not deny my other half.
i'm learning that:
IAMallowed to cry.
IAMallowed to think.
IAMallowed to hurt.
IAMallowed to heal.
IAMallowed to speak.
IAMallowed to express.
IAMallowed to be.

India

2009-12-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

the realization of all the broken pieces within my heart,
knowing my vision has been/ is blocked by memories/ dead information
has caused great suffering in me for most of my life.
through meditation and ritual i am opening myself by erasing these memories/this dead information
bit by bit.

" you must have tremendous confidence in yourself that you can do anything suggested and given to you"
-r. mishra

my oshun altar

2009-12-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

Ibase Osun, Mafarefun Yeye Olomo Sekeke Osun!
(I give praise, respect and homage to Osun, I bow my head to the earth, Great Grand Mother who has many children, woman who knows the mystery’s of the cowrie shells.

open hands, open heart: a cogitation

2009-12-12T16:54:00.000-08:00

sitting, i recall the beauty of myself.
sitting, i also, recall the repugnant aspects of myself; and as i view these sides of me, i do not hold on to what was or what is.
because, within this very breath-the inhale and the exhale- i am transforming, i am in motion, i am new.
i am no better or worse. i am.
one truth within each breath is the journey and the interdependence of all things that, are visible and invisible by way of spirit.
therefore, i open my hands to release, to give and receive. i open my heart to heal,to listen and to love.

saudade

2009-12-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

"Somehow I knew that there was much more going on than was apparent on the surface. My existence and that of the things going on around me caused me to question everything, always looking for the deeper meaning."

Luisah Teish, "Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book

Intentional Prayer and the healing Power of Words/Language:

Two nights ago, Saudade and I prayed together on the Earth. We shook the tambourine each time the other spoke something lovely/heartfelt, needlessly to say we were shaking that instrument often. Afterwards, I gave my blood as an offering to the Earth. It felt good to give some love back to the Earth since I receive so much for FREE. "Why have I not done this before," I ask myself.

India's Meditation:

I sat in an area of the house lovingly called "Temple" and stared at the shared ancestors' altar. Temple is very modest area, painted soft yellow but feels large, cozy, very holy/sacred with seemingly skyscraper ceilings.

We share intimacy here often. On this day, I focused my attention on the photo of mum and the white candle in the center. I relaxed my shoulders, trying to let them fall and release tension. My mind wanders; that's OK! I bring my attention back to the altar. I sit for 15-20 minutes, then I write :light in mind and body: over and over again. I am feeling lighter but I need more practice sitting. Also I need to sit first thing in the AM, after a shower. This will help to set a peaceful tone to my day.

Healing Ourselves Through Meditation

2009-12-01T01:03:00.000-08:00

Saudade and I decided to move Healing Ourselves and Each Other up on the cosmic scale from fasting into meditation. Before we can began any other project, there is a fundamental need for silence, a moment of reflection, and inner peace. We're fasting again very soon (within the next few weeks) after we take time to get rooted and grounded within the Earth. We're hopeful that choosing to make meditation a ritual within our lives will relax our hyperactive minds, heighten our awareness and creative abilities, allow us to relax and trust the movement and process of life (at all times), give us more direction and clarity in our goals and life-paths, foster a high GRE score for me (ding, ding), and reduce and eliminate all stress and anxiety from our lives.

Consistency and intention are keys!

When Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote "A foolish consistency is the hobglin of little minds, " we are aware that he wasn't speaking of meditation, although very applicable to it. I believe that consistency and intention are the keys to an optimal meditation practice for us. Saudade and I have meditated on and off for years, before and throughout our relationship. Although we realize that meditation as a means to healing is necessary and has improved the quality of our life and love, we haven't always made the time nor been very consistent about participating in it. Therefore, we are committing ourselves to daily meditation, thereby feeding our awareness, focus and clarity, and participating in healing ourselves and each other, and deeply lighting the spark-plug in our creative minds. FUN! Again there are no rules or guidelines. Just simply listening to spirit; listening to ourselves. It's a space for us to share our honest individual- and collective-experiences with meditation, prayer, tantric lovemaking, along with "letting go" rituals, cleansing baths and bathhouse cleansings, candling exercises, breathing meditations, and any ancient healing mysteries that aid in our collective healing.

cheers to joylovehealingcommunity! --India

PAINTING BY SAUDADE

http:www.india-saudade.com
website coming soon

Breath

2009-12-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

From The Book “Tapping the Power Within by: Iyanla Vanzant”
From Pages 80 and 91

Breath brings forward new life. Breath is the key that unlocks the power of our spiritual identity. When the spirit within is enlivened with breath, we are aligned with and connected to our ability to transform any experience into something new. Breathing is the key to quieting your mind for meditation. The deeper you breathe, the more energy you provide for your spiritual self. The breath must come from the center of the body. With every inhalation, the belly should expand. With every exhalation, it should deflate. This will not only strengthen your stomach muscles, it will bring oxygen to every part of your being. In addition, each breath must be full, a complete inhale and total exhale. If not, we are simply circulating toxins and killing off our brain cells.”

Day VI: A Glorious Road

2009-11-30T07:44:00.000-08:00

Saudade's Menu:

1. 1 16oz. Kombucha tea

2. 1 cup veggie broth with kelp

3. 1 coconut water

4. 2 cup alkaline water

Saudade's Highlights:

1. my body and mind are in sync and ready to fast for the whole month it seems.

2. my heart is open and loving

3. reading and writing

4. talked for a moment concerning art and artistry

5. seeing my friends for who they are and accepting their role in my life

6. treated myself to a movie

7. comforting and supporting my lover

Day V: Fasting Finalities

2009-11-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

So I am coming to the end of my fast. It's been great; I feel delicious! Saudade will continue on her fast for a day or so. Within the next day or two, we're going to post some things that we've learned about ourselves as we will some healing lessons will continue to incorporate in our lives post-fast.

India's Menu:

I'm weaning myself back onto solid foods and re:strengthening my stomach muscles. I've had a little bit of cramping but nothing more than that.

1/2 gallon alkaline water

6 cups of citrus juice and distill water concoction

3 cups of healing tea

2 cups of veggie soup

1 palm-size serving of raw lasagna

juice of 1 young coconut

1. HIGH energy!!! highly energetic

2. more focus on art and school and ability to actively meditate when others are around

3. great bowel movements

4. skin is clear, few pimples

5. slept well

Saudade's Menu:

1. 1 coconut water

2. 1 cup alkaline water

3. 1 16oz kombucha tea

4. 1 cup healing tea

5. in the evening 1 cup veggie broth

Saudade's Highlights:

1. energy

2. light in body

3. posture is much better-due to the lack of over eating while the body eliminates.

4. skin is glowing

5. mind is moving slowly/quickly accessing however adjusting/adapting well to all visible and invisible beings

6. no worries. i am open. my body is extremely happy about this fast/rest. no complications

7. spent a little time with some friends

Day IV "Rejoicing on a Good Day"

2009-11-18T21:46:00.000-08:00

India's Menu:
6 cups alkaline water
4 cups of healing tea
1 coconut with flesh blended with kale
12 oz of homemade organic vegetable juice
8 oz of blended veggies
1 tsp of organic extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp of organic extra virgin coconut oil
16 oz veggie broth
1 can organic veggie soup
1 serving of kale

My menu has gotten longer because I felt I needed to incorporate more fiber (mainly consisting of blended veggies) into my diet to SLOW my detoxing. I own a VITAMIX and it has the ability to break down food into a liquid consistency without heating it. Certainly worth the investment, but until then, a regular ol' blender will work fairly decently.

Fasting Highlights:

1. My body is requiring less sleep; more energy to during the day; feeling good.
2. I woke up hungry; time to add some more broth to the fast.
3. I can't believe I have as much energy as I do. Only got two hours of rest. Altho' not something I normally do, I am doing perfectly fine today
4. Keeping my journal helps me to see myself clearly. My clothes are slightly bigger; I (still) feel healthy.
5. My partner and I decide to go the Spelman's exhibit and The Hammond's House. The sun is my friend. I am starting to get woozy as we're in discussion with our artist friend. I am silently craving some soup.
6. I decide that I'm going to modify my fast. I am adding soups and raw foods. My body is detoxing way too fast. I tell Saudade that we must add citrus juice and distilled water to our "regular" diets after this fast is over. Juicing grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes is healing our skin(the largest organ in the body).
7. I am feeling really good today. I just gotta say that again.
8. Sharing intimacy. Naps are heaven!
9. I am in high vibrations. I ask for this day and I received it! My affirmations are paying off.
10. I eat the kale salad very intentionally. I make sure that I'm chewing it until it's almost liquidized. Makes digestion easier on my organs
11. My connection to Saudade has deepened. I love her deeply.
12. weight loss obvious
13. highly energetic

Saudade Menu:

1 cup of healing tea

3 cups of alkaline water

8 oz of blended veggies

8 oz of homemade organic vegetable juice

4 16 oz homemade organic healing juice

Fasting Highlights:

1. spirit is strong. moving the body where it needs to go as well as meeting each task at work

2. listening to my voice and the voice of others

3. bridged the gap with my partner-kiss

4. field trip to the museum and the outcome brought our minds together creatively and our spirits soared

5. hearing once again the call for self-reflective honesty and truth in my art

6. feeling love rising and sustaining within two hearts, our friends and family from the supreme consciousness of the entire universe="love from the sun"

7. mucus draining, weight loss, slight fatigue

8. slept well

Day III "Getting Past the Day 3 Hump"

2009-11-17T00:34:00.000-08:00

India's Menu:
6 glasses of alkaline water
1 tbspn organic extra virgin olive oil
3 cups of homemade healing tea
3/4 gallon of organic healing juice
16 oz of organic homemade green juice
juice from a young coconut
1 cup of lemon and water
1 cup freshly squeezed OJ

In fasting, Days 1-3 are the most critical days. I had to work very hard within myself not to give up on my fasting process. With scars and bruises, I succeeded. For many people fasting can be a purging, griping, cleansing, emotional, and healing experience. I am one of those people.

Fasting Highlights:
1. Healing myself is loving myself.
2. Woke up feeling hungry, pain in my joints, and unlike my "normal" self. guessing I've lost about 3 lbs. My body is rapidly detoxing.
3. Past pain bodies manifested. Realized how unresolved pain bodies create triggers within me. today this resulted in me creating/participating in an argument with my partner
4. MMMmm healing tea made me feel much better.
5. I called forth the highest and deepest forces within me. I also apologized to my partner
6. Journaling is my salvation. I have to continue to peel away the layers and acknowledge, liberate, and move beyond the darkest part of me.
7. Had exceptional bowel movements after walking a few blocks.
8. Toxins are coming out of my skin yet it still appears shiny
10. I am desiring intimacy and a warm a bath, instead i turn on a camera, shoot photos, and do some skin-brushing
11. Repeatedly reciting affirmations is raising my vibration.
12. I have a hard time embracing my partner, she knows my pain, my hurts, my struggles. i continue to work on surrendering my ego
13. I really desired to eat that cucumber. But instead, I juiced it ;).Green juice has been my late night vitamin. Experiencing an extreme bout of gratitude and grace at my courage and vertical shift in my energy. My body is requiring less sleep to function, reminding me that the cleanse is working.
14. Late-night meditation under the moon. I miss hearing my mum's voice. I miss my family.
15. the ancestors are blessing me

During a fast, cleanse and/or detoxing the body takes the opportunity to eliminate a lot of toxins that have built up over the years. The toxins are predominantly stored in fat and mucous cells, various tissues, and organs. The body also releases all sorts of negative emotional and mental energies that have been stored over time. It's a good idea to have people in your life who support you. Be gentle with yourself as move through your process. Allow yourself to be an altar for someone else. Healing isn't always easy, but it can/will happen.

At least, this is what I am learning.

Saudade Menu:

1 coconut

1 cup of homemade organic healing juice

1 cup of homemade healing tea

Fasting Highlights:

1. good sleep

2. no snoring

3. mucus draining early morning

4. chi-exercise/stretching outside no shoes -rooting to earth and sky

5. helping

6. conflict arising through the cleansing of my partners emotions-leading to anger

7. prayer

8. reading and centering my soul without judgement or pointing the finger

10. listening to ravi shankar- toward the rising sun

11. needing to breathe deeply to still my mind

12. my partner apologized however, i am self- protected

India and Saudade: Day II

2009-11-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

India' s Menu:
6 cups of water
1/2 tsp of organic extra virgin olive oil
2 cups of healing tea (homemade recipe)
1/2 gallon of organic, homemade citrus juice
water from 1 young coconut
16 oz of water from 1 young coconut

Fasting Highlights:
1. Slept really well, pleasant dreams
2. Extremely thirsty in AM
3. Mouth extremely dry upon waking
4. Very light mucous in nose
5. Skin glowing, feeling light and energetic in early afternoon; eyes clear
6. Dizzy and heavy hunger during evening, craving soup
7. Energy rose again during nightfall
8. Affirming: "I am light in mind and body" over and over again
9. Created fasting purpose: "Fasting for me is a process of revelation, surrendering, being still, and an conscious act of service to myself."
10.A small amount of weight loss, approx 1.5 lbs

11. Creating ways to release ego and worry about possible overall weight loss
12. Overall: Feeling Great! Much better than Day I

Saudade's Menu:

1 cup of healing tea (homemade recipe)

water from 1 young coconut

2 16 oz organic, homemade citrus juice

12 oz organic homemade green vegetable juice

Fasting Highlights:

1. dehydrated

2. restful sleep

3. a calmness within

4. longing to greet the sun

5. living truth

6. skin repairing itself

7. hair is softer

8. healing teas vibrate higher

9. mindful drinking-not rushing my intake of water, juice or tea. allowing by body to receive fully=cellular

10. i napped the best nap-waking energized

11. altar time and meditation-directing my earth walk

12. standing up for myself, my heart, my life, without allowing subjugated opinions or incorrect thoughts/feelings from others to walk upon my threshold of truth. standing up is carried out but understanding myself in relationship to nature, the universe and my ancestors.

13. no lower back pain

14. eyes sensitive to light/slight headache.

15. no snoring

Know your audience and your truth

2009-11-15T23:59:00.000-08:00

We are learning the importance of not sharing with everyone that we are fasting. And if one does make the conscious choice to share, as we are, be rooted in your own truth. Some people will attempt to discourage you from your own healing. They may attempt to project their insecurities and fears onto you and it may not be obvious to you that they are doing so. Gently reconcile with yourself that it is their process and truth, not yours. Establish ways to stay grounded and rooted in your purpose!

"Fasting for me is a process of revelation, surrendering, being still, and a conscious act of service to myself." -India

" Fasting for me is developing consciousness. Consciousness can be biological or spiritual. When i speak of "developing consciousness" it is the marriage of both biological and spiritual energies that brings forth abundant life. Abundant life is constantly forming through love, compassion and equanimity. Fasting allows me the moment to look within and purge the soul and refresh my body to a continued and joyous life."-Saudade

India and Saudade: Day I

2009-11-15T22:12:00.001-08:00

India's Menu:
2 cups of water
1 cup of healing tea
3/4 gallon homemade organic citrus cayenne 15(k)
1 fresh young coconut water
12 oz homemade organic veggie juice

Fasting highlights:
1. slightly airy
2. a little light-headed
3. irritable became quite intense
4. quiet
5. mucous drainage
6. stomach cramps, became intense midday, eventually subsiding
7. slight gas in chest midday
8. colder than normal during evening
9. desiring more affection
10. everyone seemingly moving way too fast
11. we live in a time of excess
12. bedtime: 1:15 AM normal bedtime 3AM
13. gratitude that my lover is embarking on a shared fast with me. it is deepening our connection.

Saudade's Menu:
alkaline water- 3/4 gallon
homemade organic citrus cayenne 15(k)

12 oz homemade organic veggie juice

1 cup of healing tea

Fasting Highlights:
1. Conscious commitment to myself, my fast and my partner
2. Listening to my higher self
3. challenges with informed irritations
4. my movements are mindful
5. my awareness of speed within my thoughts and thought processing-the reality that some of my thoughts must change.
6. seeing my need for change
7. my skin is healing itself rapidly
8. alkaline water is sooo refreshing-my body receives its' blessings
9. desire to ingest the arts. literature, paintings,movies etc.
10. easy to convey what is on my heart with a readiness to speak my truth in love
11. self- evaluating before i speak or during the process
12. mucus drainage

13. lower back discomfort=kidneys

14. no snoring