A sanctuary! How exciting! Simple, Intentional, Linger. I love it! 💛 Winter is definitely a time for lingering in front of the fire and simple practices slowing down. I like to go to bed a little earlier and be SILLY in bed before nodding off to dreamland.
This is beautiful Prajna. Thank you for the gift, reminders, amplification.
I’m struggling a bit with so few hours of sunlight. It’s been severely cold and very windy where I am. But since walking in nature is my happy place, I bundle up and go anyways. Everything makes sense among the trees, plants, flowing river and mountains which feel like Mama’s warm, full breasts.
I’ve been noticing the last few days that it’s not be so easy for me to enter into true rest. I may appear to be resting on the outside but I can feel that “push” energy on the inside as a tension layer. The “push” to create, to offer, to accomplish, to be of use.
It’s all coming from my mind which has cellular resonance in my body, this the tension. I’m familiar with the pattern and haven’t felt this in quite a while. There is an underlying message that it’s not ok to rest, but I know this is old programming. I feel it most strongly when I’m caged up in the house, with little to no sunshine (full spectrum light helps some), as well as dancing and some gym time.
Anyways, just wanted to share how I’m feeling in this moment, without any over lay of words that are not in alignment with my actual experience.
Just really having a shitty day…thanks for witnessing and supporting.
Love the tobacco offering and I hope there is a wonderful group of local women who can join. It’s truly a sacred experience.
Hey Lila, Feeling you here. I also have a difficult time without the sun. And outdoor activity is important for me too, easier when the sun is out. And I do it anyways, like you do. For me it seems to be a call into the darkness. Loved the line in Prajna's post, "Darkness is like the cradle of the ancient womb." Something about being rocked, swaddled and held. Calling me to let go into HER. Sending love! ❤️
I had a huge awakening at my adit children of alcoholics meeting last night. That moment of realization that “I AM AN ADULT CHILD.” No more denial. So a lot of release is happening today.
It’s the same for the child as it was for the alcoholic even if the child didn’t take up the drink. Those meetings and the program are so very powerful.
YES!!! The 12-step program is an incredibly healing place. The foundation of my being came from being in those rooms. I needed that, because I did not have solid ground to stand on. The program not only taught me that, it gave me that! Lila, so glad insight came your way!
I didn’t know you benefitted from that also Julie! I found the most incredible women’s group in line. It meets every Wednesday night, no matter what. The consistency alone is gold to me. Consistency, something my little system never got until now. I’m so blessed by this group and the material is alive and rich. I’m so grateful to not be in denial anymore. And I do not feel any shame thankfully. I’ve done enough work growing an inner parent to melt most of that away.
Wow Prajna, this was a beautiful article, thank you 🙏 This touched deeply in on where I’m at right now, I’m feeling the call of the dark, going within, slowing down. I love the part about lingering, lingering in this space of inner communion. This really resonated with me. When I take just a little extra time to sink into soul-full rest I really do want to linger, love this.
The tobacco offerings are so great and that flyer is gorgeous.
Tender solitude in the dark, descending months of winter. . . Sweet Libby reminds us to linger gaze, and commune with what is essential to truly be human and humane. This is the Persephone myth, making the descent; gathering light from the dark altar to renew hope and renew confidence in our intent to stand in the light of truth. Love to you Prajna and to Libby and Abby. I hold your beautiful thoughts and inspiring intentions in my heart.
May I use this concept and ritual in a newsletter I write for the workers on the Friendship Line at the Institute on Aging, a nonprofit located in San Francisco, CA? FL is a warmline for lonely and/or isolated older adults and disabled people who find some comfort in conversation and making a connection.
My boss cut/pasted your essay. I’m going to write about you as an introduction to what my boss chose. I think an example of Tender Solitude is called for. My suggestion to boss tomorrow.
Everything others have shared is so tender and relevant. I will just add (as I travel back home from time away on a hiking trip overseas, exhausted and not in touch with my normal self or reality)… how I appreciate this loving glimpse into Libby. I was so drawn to her experience in your memoir and often wondered what was happening in her inner world. I love to hear of her laughter and how she eats with gusto! Tender solitude is my next goal after I am home. Much love to you all xx
Beautiful! THe longer I am in tender solitude, the more I realise I was never alone but always nested in the family of living beings, whose whispers I hear better when in solitude.
Hello Catherine, Thank you for reading. I love this "...the more I realise I was never alone but always nested in the family of living beings, whose whispers I hear better when in solitude."
💚
🌹💙🌹
A sanctuary! How exciting! Simple, Intentional, Linger. I love it! 💛 Winter is definitely a time for lingering in front of the fire and simple practices slowing down. I like to go to bed a little earlier and be SILLY in bed before nodding off to dreamland.
Thank you Laura, yes to the cookfire. I am so glad you got my SILLY! yahoo, love to you sister.
This is beautiful Prajna. Thank you for the gift, reminders, amplification.
I’m struggling a bit with so few hours of sunlight. It’s been severely cold and very windy where I am. But since walking in nature is my happy place, I bundle up and go anyways. Everything makes sense among the trees, plants, flowing river and mountains which feel like Mama’s warm, full breasts.
I’ve been noticing the last few days that it’s not be so easy for me to enter into true rest. I may appear to be resting on the outside but I can feel that “push” energy on the inside as a tension layer. The “push” to create, to offer, to accomplish, to be of use.
It’s all coming from my mind which has cellular resonance in my body, this the tension. I’m familiar with the pattern and haven’t felt this in quite a while. There is an underlying message that it’s not ok to rest, but I know this is old programming. I feel it most strongly when I’m caged up in the house, with little to no sunshine (full spectrum light helps some), as well as dancing and some gym time.
Anyways, just wanted to share how I’m feeling in this moment, without any over lay of words that are not in alignment with my actual experience.
Just really having a shitty day…thanks for witnessing and supporting.
Love the tobacco offering and I hope there is a wonderful group of local women who can join. It’s truly a sacred experience.
Much Love.
Hey Lila, I will come back to this, time for Libby. Thank you for commenting and reading Sending softness.
Sending love sister ❤️
Thank you, Jennifer. I’m feeling a bit better just having shared how I’m feeling openly in a safe place. ❤️
Beautiful kindness
Hi Lila
I’m famaliar what that tension and I don’t have any thing in me that pushes against it. It seems without pushing it softens
Stay warm
Big hug
Yes’. Today there was a huge melting in the body. Seems the body has to relearn how to rest before it can rest. 🌷
Yes, and sometimes just to feel what it is feeling, eh? Hugs, P
Hey Lila, Feeling you here. I also have a difficult time without the sun. And outdoor activity is important for me too, easier when the sun is out. And I do it anyways, like you do. For me it seems to be a call into the darkness. Loved the line in Prajna's post, "Darkness is like the cradle of the ancient womb." Something about being rocked, swaddled and held. Calling me to let go into HER. Sending love! ❤️
Thank you Julie!
I had a huge awakening at my adit children of alcoholics meeting last night. That moment of realization that “I AM AN ADULT CHILD.” No more denial. So a lot of release is happening today.
It’s the same for the child as it was for the alcoholic even if the child didn’t take up the drink. Those meetings and the program are so very powerful.
YES!!! The 12-step program is an incredibly healing place. The foundation of my being came from being in those rooms. I needed that, because I did not have solid ground to stand on. The program not only taught me that, it gave me that! Lila, so glad insight came your way!
I didn’t know you benefitted from that also Julie! I found the most incredible women’s group in line. It meets every Wednesday night, no matter what. The consistency alone is gold to me. Consistency, something my little system never got until now. I’m so blessed by this group and the material is alive and rich. I’m so grateful to not be in denial anymore. And I do not feel any shame thankfully. I’ve done enough work growing an inner parent to melt most of that away.
Thank you Julie for your interaction. 🌷🌷
Wow Prajna, this was a beautiful article, thank you 🙏 This touched deeply in on where I’m at right now, I’m feeling the call of the dark, going within, slowing down. I love the part about lingering, lingering in this space of inner communion. This really resonated with me. When I take just a little extra time to sink into soul-full rest I really do want to linger, love this.
The tobacco offerings are so great and that flyer is gorgeous.
Yes, it’s in syncing into the dark just so precious. Thank you for reading Jennifer. I appreciate your kind words. 🌹🌹💙💙
Tender solitude in the dark, descending months of winter. . . Sweet Libby reminds us to linger gaze, and commune with what is essential to truly be human and humane. This is the Persephone myth, making the descent; gathering light from the dark altar to renew hope and renew confidence in our intent to stand in the light of truth. Love to you Prajna and to Libby and Abby. I hold your beautiful thoughts and inspiring intentions in my heart.
Hi Stephanie,
You must be awake very early. It’s still dark. Thank you for this acknowledgment for reading and for your kindness.
I love the dark
Blessings
🌹💙🌹
I’m always up early — and I get to watch the light seep into day!
By far that is the best part of the day however, sunset is pretty darn good as well. And now we have the moon so bright thank you
You got me at "Darkness is like the cradle of the ancient womb." I couldn't go any further. Had to rest there, take that in... and in some more...
I did eventually read the rest and realized I received your whole post in that silence of tender solitude..
Hi Julie, that is beautiful. Thank you for sharing and sinking into the dark cradle of the womb, where we learn to see in the dark—tenderly.
May I use this concept and ritual in a newsletter I write for the workers on the Friendship Line at the Institute on Aging, a nonprofit located in San Francisco, CA? FL is a warmline for lonely and/or isolated older adults and disabled people who find some comfort in conversation and making a connection.
Hello Kathleen
Yes, of course you can use this. Do you mean you want to share the essay or do you want to share the practice of tender solitude?
I am happy if anyone can benefit from this
Thank you for asking and thank you for reading
Let me know how it goes
💙🌹💚
My boss cut/pasted your essay. I’m going to write about you as an introduction to what my boss chose. I think an example of Tender Solitude is called for. My suggestion to boss tomorrow.
Hello Kathleen,
This warms my heart. Thank you so much for sharing and for your support to myself and my wild loves.
Everything others have shared is so tender and relevant. I will just add (as I travel back home from time away on a hiking trip overseas, exhausted and not in touch with my normal self or reality)… how I appreciate this loving glimpse into Libby. I was so drawn to her experience in your memoir and often wondered what was happening in her inner world. I love to hear of her laughter and how she eats with gusto! Tender solitude is my next goal after I am home. Much love to you all xx
Hello Michelle,
Wow, traveling can take its toll. I wish you a very soft, tender sinking into yourself. Have a beautiful holiday, dear friend.
I had Libby on my lap last night and she was chuckling so deeply that she shook so much it made my body shake.
What a gift
💙🌹💙
Such a beautiful piece. Soft, tranquil, and inviting within the many layers.
Hello Rhaine
Thank you so much. I appreciate your soft words.
🌹
This is beautiful. Thank you.
Dear Curtis,
Thank you so much. Your words of kindness are really touching. I needed to hear that tonight.
Beautiful! THe longer I am in tender solitude, the more I realise I was never alone but always nested in the family of living beings, whose whispers I hear better when in solitude.
Hello Catherine, Thank you for reading. I love this "...the more I realise I was never alone but always nested in the family of living beings, whose whispers I hear better when in solitude."
Inspired by your words.