Some painting projects take me further along my own spiritual path and then act as a portal for others to do the same. “The Violet Flame”, a painting commissioned by Judy Squires-Gleason in New York, is one of those projects.
May this piece, co-created in the energy of St. Germain and the Violet Flame, be as much a blessing for you and for Judy’s tribe as it has been for me.
Saint Germain is an Ascended Master. What’s that?
It’s an individual who has attained the mastery and wisdom to ascend through his/her lives here on Earth. This enlightened being of Divine Love is now freed of karma and re-embodiement.
Jesus is an Ascended Master. So are Buddha, Mother Mary, Vishnu, St. Francis, Krishna, Quan Yin, and others.
In this God-like state, Ascended Masters help humanity and this planet move towards ascension. They assist us to expand our consciousness and connect to Divine Love.
Saint Germain’s role is to help humanity achieve Christ Consciousness during this period called the Age of Aquarius. For this purpose, he is also named the Lord of Civilization.
In “The I AM Discourses of Saint Germain” audibly received in the 1930s by a group gathered for that purpose, he publicly released knowledge that had previously only been taught in mystery schools.
If you’re curious to learn more about Saint Germain, you’ll find lots of other books, meditations, and explanations on YouTube. Here are a few I listened to.
5 Things Saint Germain is Doing for YOU Today – (11 minutes) – by Ascended Masters 101 – here
The Inside Story of Saint Germain by Elizabeth Claire Prophet – (17 minutes) – here
Unveiled Mysteries by Godfre Ray King (7 hours 40 minute audio book) – here
What is the Violet Flame?
The Violet Flame is a spiritual fire that transmutes negative energy, feelings, thoughts, and karma into positive ones.
It’s an aspect of the Holy Spirit to help both individuals and the world.
Its seven qualities are:
- Mercy
- Forgiveness
- Freedom
- Opportunity
- Alchemy
- Diplomacy
- Transmutation
The Violet Flame is a tool for change no matter your religious denomination or spiritual beliefs. Introduced by Saint Germain, it helps all become better seekers of the Truth.
Here are just a few of the Violet Ray meditations & explanations I listened to during the week:
The Violet Flame Explained (13:27) – Ascended Masters 101 – here
Violet Flame Meditation for Global Healing (60 minutes of 432 Hz music) – here
Violet Flame Meditation – Instant Energy Shift (10:27) by Ask Angels with Melanie Beckler – here
New Violet Flame Technique with Saint Germain (33:21)- by Divine Love Meditations – here
5 Ways to Work with the Violet Flame to Change Your Life (8:40) – by Melanie Beckler – here
Violet Flame Meditation for Spiritual Awakening with St. Germain (40:44) – by Opheana & Sikaal – here
Within days of being commissioned to channel a Violet Flame energy painting, I received a vision of a blank tryptic – two 12″ x 24″ canvases with a narrower one (8″ x 24″) slightly raised in the middle.
I was about to head into a 1-week silent Enlightenment Retreat at the Tree of Life , so I knew I wouldn’t be working on it for a while, but got immediate go-ahead on that size and format from Judy.
I have no doubt that the inner work at the retreat helped prepare me for this project. I’d initially planned on attending 3.5 days, but other commitments got strangely rescheduled or cancelled, so I was free to stay the full 7 days. Everything felt divinely coordinated.
I received a few visions of the project while in contemplation. First were the light rays radiating from the bottom. Then came the angel wings.
The week after my retreat, as I was waiting for my ride to Golden Arm Park for a filming project (see previous post), I received a strong intuitive message: “Order amethyst light!”. My ride was expected in 5 minutes, and I had no idea what amethyst light was.
A quick Google search led me to this string of real amethyst stones with LED lights on a wire. I got a strong inner yes and ordered them before heading outside to meet my ride. Talk about efficient shopping!
The amethyst lights arrived a few days after my return from the campground.
Amethyst, it turns out, is the stone associated to Saint Germain. I smiled when I read that – not really surprised.
Although I have them wrapped around the central canvas in the photo, I’m sure these lights will find various ways to be used in Judy’s practice. I’ve envisioned them draped across the top of the 3 canvases as well as extending in a straight line from the central piece to the floor and out.
Once my campground film project was complete, I blocked off 5 days to dive deep into the project through meditations, two 8-hour St. Germain audio-books, and the intuitive painting process, which you can see glimpses of in the video at the top of this post.
Although I’d come across violet flame energy transmissions and meditations before, I wasn’t consciously aware of St. Germain. My left brain learned a lot and my right brain received a lot during this intensive studio time.
I wasn’t only creating layer upon layer of paint on the canvases. I was creating … or unveiling layer upon layer of connection and remembering on my own Path. It was intense. I was humbled and so grateful!
In her request for this painting for the Greater Good, Judy invited me to grow more fully into my Higher Self and for that, I thank her!
“Thank-you goddess Dominique for all that you do for the world. Your gifts are incredible. I am honored and humbled.
Saint Germain has been with me for years off & on. I recall that anytime I saw anything related to him & the violet flame, I paid attention. I didn’t know why then, nor did I question it. Yet it/he kept coming to me time & again – I guess to “get my attention”.
I facilitated a few violet flame workshops in my studio in upstate NY -when that felt right- again-not understanding why- nor questioning the guidance. I just did it.
Fast forward to this past June/ early July when at Cape Cod with a dear friend on a soul-cation. Saint Germain was VERY present- he most definitely got my attention while at the cape- I think he said – “finally”:
- hundreds of purple shells lined the ocean shore
- cards turned up
- purple crystals spoke to me big time and not knowing why
- Messages continued in many forms -even back to when I was “home” to Newfoundland earlier this year 2021- purple continued to show itself to me to be “worked with”- for healing for many on many many levels.
- New products appeared in dreams & messages that I had to offer.
- A new website was born.
So to wrap it up- this is still an ongoing process and for me.
When all of this started to come together a little more, I knew that I had to connect with you, Dominique to see what you could tap into around Saint Germain & the violet flame for me- that will assist me- in assisting all in healing of all types and on all levels.
An energetic focus right now for me through this work is the healing of the children’s souls here, in the past & those that have passed that have ever been touched and harmed through childhood abuse, on all levels.
It’s important work that I currently feel is just one of the many reasons that Saint Germain has been attempting to capture my undivided attention.
He has my undivided attention in this- in all of this at this current time.
May he work his magic through me as a conduit of healing -as you have through your art, Dominique -for me, for those that all of this will assist.
Your beautiful art piece of Saint Germain & The Violet Flame will assist many – near and far – with us & passed. There is no linear time- we can do this. As you know, energy is far reaching -pure intentions are far reaching.
My current goal is to reach these beautiful souls that may need assistance in healing -through me-through you- your art & through Saint Germain & the Violet Flame. I am humbly honored. Deeply moved.
Thank-you for all that you do.”
Judy
Indwelling – a soulful birch painting
/in Paintings“
Indwelling” is an invitation to recognize our own inner guiding force, our soul, as well as to recognize and honour that Life Force in others.
Standing tall and strong in the fiery colours of the setting sun, these birch trees reach out as a mirror to our collective evolution and growth in body, mind & spirit.
With their textured spiral grooves, they remind us of our connectivity with the divine, spiralling from the outer ego (the outside world) into the inner soul (cosmic awareness and enlightenment).
Can you spot the 2 words carved into the pumice just above the stone?
“I AM” – the metaphysical name of the spiritual Self, as distinguished from the human self. It’s the indwelling God: our connection to the Divine Mind, our ascension into Christ Consciousness.
No matter the intensity of the world around us, we can always find within that connection to our True Self, to Source.
The pumice (lava stone dust) used for the highly textured trees adds emotional calmness and grounding energy to the piece.
The Lapis Lazuli stone in the tree on the left has been a symbol of honour, gods, power, spirit and vision throughout the ages. It is still a universal symbol of wisdom and truth.
Does this forest alive in complimentary colours speak to you?
Title: Indwelling
An Ancient Prayer- a birch tree painting
/in Paintings“Ancient Prayer” (12″ x 18″) – $677
Are you a fan of birch trees? Do you know what lives beneath the layers of smooth birch bark? Life!
With every passing day, the trees in our environment grow more and more into their own all the while witnessing the world around them.
In this birch tree forest painting, I wanted to capture the juiciness of life within our standing brothers & sisters.
The shiny 3D texture is clear to reveal layer upon layer of texture and colour.
One of these layers includes the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. If you look closely, you’ll still find a few words popping up here and there.
This richness of detail doesn’t only represent the rings of years gone by, but all that our trees have heard, seen, sensed, smelled, tasted and touched over the years.
Their very presence is a testament to all that has ever been. It’s also a record of their own cycles and experiences.
Each tree is unique. Yet they’re all part of an interconnected communication network called the wood wide web.
Much wisdom can be accessed when connecting to trees. They have a lot to teach us.
They help us both ground and connect.
May we also help them continue to stand tall in all of their magnificence.
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Ancient Prayer – the Painting
P.S. Click here for details on the 2 events in 1 night – Beauty at the Birch exhibition opening (Free Open House & Mirror to Your True Self Guided Art Contemplation Experience – September 30th).
The Violet Flame – a painting commission co-created with Saint Germain
/in PaintingsSome painting projects take me further along my own spiritual path and then act as a portal for others to do the same. “The Violet Flame”, a painting commissioned by Judy Squires-Gleason in New York, is one of those projects.
May this piece, co-created in the energy of St. Germain and the Violet Flame, be as much a blessing for you and for Judy’s tribe as it has been for me.
Who is Saint Germain?
Saint Germain is an Ascended Master. What’s that?
It’s an individual who has attained the mastery and wisdom to ascend through his/her lives here on Earth. This enlightened being of Divine Love is now freed of karma and re-embodiement.
Jesus is an Ascended Master. So are Buddha, Mother Mary, Vishnu, St. Francis, Krishna, Quan Yin, and others.
In this God-like state, Ascended Masters help humanity and this planet move towards ascension. They assist us to expand our consciousness and connect to Divine Love.
Saint Germain’s role is to help humanity achieve Christ Consciousness during this period called the Age of Aquarius. For this purpose, he is also named the Lord of Civilization.
In “The I AM Discourses of Saint Germain” audibly received in the 1930s by a group gathered for that purpose, he publicly released knowledge that had previously only been taught in mystery schools.
If you’re curious to learn more about Saint Germain, you’ll find lots of other books, meditations, and explanations on YouTube. Here are a few I listened to.
5 Things Saint Germain is Doing for YOU Today – (11 minutes) – by Ascended Masters 101 – here
The Inside Story of Saint Germain by Elizabeth Claire Prophet – (17 minutes) – here
Unveiled Mysteries by Godfre Ray King (7 hours 40 minute audio book) – here
What is the Violet Flame?
The Violet Flame is a spiritual fire that transmutes negative energy, feelings, thoughts, and karma into positive ones.
It’s an aspect of the Holy Spirit to help both individuals and the world.
Its seven qualities are:
The Violet Flame is a tool for change no matter your religious denomination or spiritual beliefs. Introduced by Saint Germain, it helps all become better seekers of the Truth.
Here are just a few of the Violet Ray meditations & explanations I listened to during the week:
The Violet Flame Explained (13:27) – Ascended Masters 101 – here
Violet Flame Meditation for Global Healing (60 minutes of 432 Hz music) – here
Violet Flame Meditation – Instant Energy Shift (10:27) by Ask Angels with Melanie Beckler – here
New Violet Flame Technique with Saint Germain (33:21)- by Divine Love Meditations – here
5 Ways to Work with the Violet Flame to Change Your Life (8:40) – by Melanie Beckler – here
Violet Flame Meditation for Spiritual Awakening with St. Germain (40:44) – by Opheana & Sikaal – here
The Painting Process
Within days of being commissioned to channel a Violet Flame energy painting, I received a vision of a blank tryptic – two 12″ x 24″ canvases with a narrower one (8″ x 24″) slightly raised in the middle.
I was about to head into a 1-week silent Enlightenment Retreat at the Tree of Life , so I knew I wouldn’t be working on it for a while, but got immediate go-ahead on that size and format from Judy.
I have no doubt that the inner work at the retreat helped prepare me for this project. I’d initially planned on attending 3.5 days, but other commitments got strangely rescheduled or cancelled, so I was free to stay the full 7 days. Everything felt divinely coordinated.
I received a few visions of the project while in contemplation. First were the light rays radiating from the bottom. Then came the angel wings.
The week after my retreat, as I was waiting for my ride to Golden Arm Park for a filming project (see previous post), I received a strong intuitive message: “Order amethyst light!”. My ride was expected in 5 minutes, and I had no idea what amethyst light was.
A quick Google search led me to this string of real amethyst stones with LED lights on a wire. I got a strong inner yes and ordered them before heading outside to meet my ride. Talk about efficient shopping!
The amethyst lights arrived a few days after my return from the campground.
Amethyst, it turns out, is the stone associated to Saint Germain. I smiled when I read that – not really surprised.
Although I have them wrapped around the central canvas in the photo, I’m sure these lights will find various ways to be used in Judy’s practice. I’ve envisioned them draped across the top of the 3 canvases as well as extending in a straight line from the central piece to the floor and out.
Once my campground film project was complete, I blocked off 5 days to dive deep into the project through meditations, two 8-hour St. Germain audio-books, and the intuitive painting process, which you can see glimpses of in the video at the top of this post.
Although I’d come across violet flame energy transmissions and meditations before, I wasn’t consciously aware of St. Germain. My left brain learned a lot and my right brain received a lot during this intensive studio time.
I wasn’t only creating layer upon layer of paint on the canvases. I was creating … or unveiling layer upon layer of connection and remembering on my own Path. It was intense. I was humbled and so grateful!
In her request for this painting for the Greater Good, Judy invited me to grow more fully into my Higher Self and for that, I thank her!
A Few Words From Judy
“Thank-you goddess Dominique for all that you do for the world. Your gifts are incredible. I am honored and humbled.
So to wrap it up- this is still an ongoing process and for me.
When all of this started to come together a little more, I knew that I had to connect with you, Dominique to see what you could tap into around Saint Germain & the violet flame for me- that will assist me- in assisting all in healing of all types and on all levels.
An energetic focus right now for me through this work is the healing of the children’s souls here, in the past & those that have passed that have ever been touched and harmed through childhood abuse, on all levels.
It’s important work that I currently feel is just one of the many reasons that Saint Germain has been attempting to capture my undivided attention.
He has my undivided attention in this- in all of this at this current time.
May he work his magic through me as a conduit of healing -as you have through your art, Dominique -for me, for those that all of this will assist.
Your beautiful art piece of Saint Germain & The Violet Flame will assist many – near and far – with us & passed. There is no linear time- we can do this. As you know, energy is far reaching -pure intentions are far reaching.
My current goal is to reach these beautiful souls that may need assistance in healing -through me-through you- your art & through Saint Germain & the Violet Flame. I am humbly honored. Deeply moved.
Camper Culture at Golden Arm Park – the movie
/in Newfoundland & LabradorI confess. When my friend Elaine and I arrived at Golden Arm Park on a quiet Thursday afternoon, we both figured I’d be driving back to town with her on Saturday after her Nia dance class.
We had an amazing canoe ride on the pond, a swim, and a walk around the camp. There were some nice photography opportunities, but I thought two days would be enough to cover it.
The owners, Murray & Mickey Crocker, had invited me to share a cabin with my friend Elaine to come explore their park through my camera’s viewfinder. They’d offered me an extra two nights and the surety of some other ride home.
I didn’t think I’d need that.
But while chasing a good vantage point for a timelapse video of the setting sun, I met the Normans and Lynches. They pulled up a chair for me, and I learned all about the game of washers while my camera, on its tripod, did its job. These two couples are the best of friends and hurry to Green’s Harbour every weekend to spend time together.
As I sat listening, sharing, and watching both the game and the setting sun, I was starting to understand why my sister and cousin so loved their camper time in the same spots all season.
By the time I joined my friend Elaine and the visitors from the cabin next door at the Crocker campfire, I was hooked.
Between Murray’s velvet storytelling & singing voice and young Kate Morgan-MacFadyen’s gifts at the guitar, I’d found my angle for this movie.
No, it’s not just a 5-minute nature video like I thought it would be… It’s a 1-hour music-filled documentary all about RV camp lifestyle. It’s all about Camper Culture! It’s about community!
Of course there’s lots of gorgeous nature … I’m me after all!
But there’s so much more:
I’m also so grateful for moments that didn’t make it in the movie:
So if you haven’t watched it yet, enjoy the 1-hour movie “Camper Culture at Golden Arm Park” above (change your YouTube Settings to HD for better viewing) with all its music, laughter, tears, beauty and love.
It took me 48 hours to edit all the footage once I got back from my 4.5 days in Green’s Harbour. It’s so much fun when the creative sequencing becomes clear in my mind. I received intuitive guidance for that while swimming laps one morning. I was so excited to get home to get to work on it!
Videography is definitely a creative passion!
Thanks & blessings to all those who have contributed in so many ways!
P.S. And as for all my volunteer art video projects, I welcome donations in exchange for a movie credit or dedication in my next production. You can send any amount by Paypal (or e-transfer for Canadians) to [email protected]. Thank you!
P.P.S. Speaking of donations, if Jaxon’s story moved you, the Donnan family encourage donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. The $2,454 Cyril Forward raised at the park that day was given to the Donnan family to help them cover expenses in these challenging times.
P.P.P.S. If by the time you watch the movie there are commercials, my apologies. The copyright owners of the songs sung at Music & Friends have the right to earn revenue from ads for their songs.
In the Vortex – the painting
/in PaintingsOne of my favourite things to do while painting in the studio is to listen to Abraham workshops on YouTube.
If you’re familiar with Abraham’s teachings, you’ll have often heard them refer to being “in the Vortex”.
Being in the Vortex means being in a state of flow with your Highest Good.
This is a powerful creative space where all you have been looking for is already assembled for you – relationships, objects, experiences, etc.
When you feel good (enthusiastic, inspired, passionate, joyful, and appreciative), you’re in alignment with your Higher Self, with Source energy. That’s when you know you’re in the Vortex. And it’s from this space that the Law of Attraction works to your advantage.
Being out of the vortex is when your feeling state blocks you from accessing what is already there waiting for you.
Your emotional guidance system is what helps you become aware of whether you’re on your way towards the Vortex or moving away from it.
As Abraham says: “It is our desire that you experience an enhanced appreciation of your planet; your body; your family; your friends; your enemies; your government; your systems; your food; your finances; your animals; your work and your play; your purpose; your Source; your Soul; your past, your future, and your present….”
The painting “In the Vortex” is a visual reminder and anchor to help you access this higher state of vibration that opens you up to all that is awaiting you when you’re in that emotional state to receive.
Can you see the pale iridescent blue silhouette of the woman rising in front of her? That’s a visual invitation to raise your vibration using whatever techniques & tools you like to use – even if it’s simply remembering that you’re an individualized expression of the Divine. Elevate your mindset and your heart and everything else will follow.
The smooth polished stone (I believe to be an agate) in the shape of an oval with a thumb-sized indentation is what’s called a “worry stone”. It’s usually used to rub for relaxation or anxiety relief. Here, it’s an energetic tool to once again remind you of what’s possible when you let go of worry and other feelings lower on the emotional guidance scale.
May you live in your vortex more and more often until that’s the only place you choose to be.
Get into the Vortex with Abraham
Two Paintings From the Sea
/in PaintingsHere are two ocean-related paintings that emerged from this playful paint session.
The painting “Horsing Around” is an invitation to let your silly out.
Play, laugh, be noisy! Let your colours loose on the world.
Stop taking life so seriously. I know I often need that reminder myself!
It’s OK to act frivolously or idly.
Why not goof off once in a while?
By reconnecting to that part of your inner child, you’ll rediscover a kaleidoscope of facets of yourself you may have forgotten was still a part of you, albeit hidden under the weight of should, woulds, and coulds.
So have fun horsing around!
When you take a Deep Dive into self-examination, self-understanding and self-knowledge, you’re bound to immerse yourself in the ancient wisdom of which whales are often seen as the symbolic keepers.
The spirals of this humpback whale’s breath and the 3 spiral footprints carved out of the glass beads represent evolution, holistic growth, release, awareness of oneself within the context of the whole, and connection with divine energies.
As the glass beads refract and reflect the light, bringing the painting to life, “Deep Dive” reminds you to shine your inner light, your True Self onto yourself and the world.
Peacefully Drifting in St. Bride’s – The Movie
/in Newfoundland & LabradorExploring a town alone on foot for 3 days is a great way to connect with the place and the people. That’s what my St. Bride’s experience was all about June 24-27.
Last year, I traveled to St. Bride’s with a friend, and we drove to all the neighbouring nature spots we could find. Our focus was communion with nature. (see previous post/movie)
This year, it was all about the people. What a friendly community!
I was a bit surprised when one man at the other end of town said: “You were out & about early this morning!“. They’d somehow seen me walking to the harbour in the fog at 4:30am to go lobster fishing with Danny Lundrigan.
But I became used to hearing “Now, you’re the one staying at Theresa’s ol’ place?” or “at the Conway house?”.
There were many Conway houses along the main road out of St. Bride’s to Cape St. Mary’s, but I knew they were referring to Theresa’s on the Cape, a new Airbnb listing under the management of People Place & Things who invited me to spend time in the community to make a 30 second airbnb & 3 minute community video for their promotional purposes.
The owners, Eugene (seen mowing lawn) and Marilyn (who gifted me homemade bread & bakeapple jam) Conway were one of many reason why my stay was so comfortable and successful. You’ll also delight in seeing their granddaughters MJ & Colleen grace your screen.
Take a deep breath and slow down as you enjoy the 30-minute contemplative video above. It was inspired by my heart’s desire to share the love & beauty of my peacefully drifting in St. Bride’s.
Let Christopher Lloyd Clarke’s gentle musical journey, “Adrift Volume 2”, help you dissolves analytical thinking to open your mind to deep relaxation.
And allow my photography & videography to transport you to a space within you, where you too can peacefully drift in St. Bride’s.
Thank you to all the community members who said “yes” to appearing in my movie: Anthony Lundrigan, Arthur Young, Colleen & MJ Conway, Danny Lundrigan, Eugene Conway, Francis Norman, Francis & Kevin McGrath, and Mike Careen.
Thanks also to the unidentified man who drove by on his ATV and to all those whose homes, land, and investment into their community is reflected in the beauty honoured through my art. This movie is a credit to you all.
Enjoy!
P.S. If you’d like to financially contribute to my creating & sharing of these artistic videos, I gladly accept your donations by e-transfer (Canadians) or Paypal at [email protected]. Any amount is welcome in exchange for a credit (or dedication to a loved one) in my next feature presentation. Thank you!
Portrait of a Yogi – Meranda Squires Shares Her Personal Practice to Freedom
/in InspirationI recently traveled to the Tree of Life Sustainability Project & Retreat Centre with its co-founder, Meranda Squires. She had asked me to record a couple of yoga classes for her and to take some yoga pose portraits for her business – The Lotus Centre in St. John’s.
This turned into some nature photo/video play which, once back home, turned into the 11:11-minute video above – “Portrait of a Yogi – Meranda Squires Shares Her Personal Practice to Freedom”.
Having witnessed the love & beauty manifested through Meranda, I wanted to know even more.
In this interview, Meranda shares even more. Enjoy!
Interview with Meranda Squires
What is yoga?
Yoga is a state of consciousness where you don’t see division – you don’t see others as separate from your yourself. The physical poses are only the tip of the iceberg of what yoga is.
The whole practice of yoga is to dissolve the duality and the illusion of separateness so that the truth that is already there – unity consciousness – gets to be experienced by us and through us.
There’s nothing to protect anymore. There’s nothing to save or attack. So we can relax inside.
That’s the side effect of unity consciousness. There’s nothing that your ego needs to defend.
What is the meaning of all the physical poses?
My practices may look physical, but from the inside, it’s not physical at all.
Divine has chosen the physical world to express itself, so we make up yoga poses. As we do the poses and the pranayama (breathing), channels get opened up.
Stuckness and tightness start to release. Everything starts to flow and move because these exercise are designed for that purpose.
When I do poses and others start to do them, they get that effect. The meditation exercises and practices all help.
Eventually, there’s a dissolution of the physical, and you’re in the divine realm of oneness.
But you do need to start on a physical level and let the physical transform the body – so the pranayama and the stretching & holding of poses strengthens and opens you. There’s a transformation that happens over years.
There are two effects of yoga poses. There’s the immediate effect and the long term practice effect. After years of practice, something starts to open that you probably didn’t even know would get opened.
Different poses are part of the creativity of yoga. Nobody has to be perfect in all of their poses.
The yogis have decided to become a master in their field of practice. It’s not so that a person, on an ego level, can look good in a pose in a picture.
By practicing those poses, there’s a training of concentration and one-pointedness and a massaging of the ability to hold breath – and all of this is needed for the transformation of the energy.
It’s not superficial – in fact, if you decide to master these things, that’s where transformation takes place.
What has been your yoga journey to freedom?
Yoga must have come from a previous incarnation because the drive for freedom was very strong from a young age.
That’s probably why I had the parents that I had and grew up where I did, at the Ferryland Lighthouse.
That gave me the experience on a physical and family structure level of what freedom can be like. It opened my soul, my inner eye towards what the ultimate potential of freedom can be.
I have naturally been drawn to yoga and meditation since I was very young. My mother was a meditator. I was inspired by her.
When we moved to Toronto, I started investigating yoga. My first class was in the basement of a church in 1980.
From that point on, I met some people who had a guru and lived in India. They had an ashram in Toronto.
The first time I went to their yoga class, the teacher asked us to listen to the sound of silence. At first, I didn’t know what he meant – that there’s an OM sound and it’s always there. And so I finally had to let go of all the external noises. When I heard the OM, I had this epiphany, like “Ahhhhhhhh Wow!”
These little insights kept me inspired . “Oh my God, there’s so much more.”
I saw there was a lot to do with the body – I was already involved in dance, so yoga was natural for me.
I left for India when I was 20 in 1983. I stayed there for 17 years.
It became my new lifestyle. I felt I had come home to myself to be growing and interacting with other like minds, all devoted to personal transformation through meditation and yoga philosophy.
I had a teacher that I could access when needed. Truly, it’s so special to have this type of guidance.
I lived in a small apartment I rented from an Indian family. I went to Satsang, our daily gathering, twice daily.
My teacher spoke knowledge, we asked questions, we learned to public speak.
We sang chants, learned the scriptures, had beautiful walks in the mountains, had potlucks with my spiritual friends, and meditated a lot; hours and hours a day.
After 17 years of personal work , I knew it was time for me to teach.
So I returned to Newfoundland and set up the Lotus Centre in 2000. I have been teaching and learning ever since, and now I’m training others in this deep spiritual work.
Have you achieved the unity consciousness you described?
I would say I’m living the essence of yoga most of the time now.
But I still have karma and things that I’m working out.
Living the lifestyle that I live and teach, I’m still learning lessons in all of that.
But I’ve made some choices that have made my life a whole lot easier to live. My state of consciousness is able to maintain that level that I want to live in. I’m getting better and better at it as I get older.
I feel that I’m opening up to a potential that all human beings have. The yoga lifestyle has been my key. I decided that I was going for it.
That freedom, that access to unity consciousness is all there, all accessible. Yoga helped me improve the condition of my personal life, so I can live that state.
I remember when I came back from living in an ashram in Montreal, my mother here in Newfoundland asked me “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I said, “enlightened”. She replied “Oh! that’s a different kind of profession!”
Why do you teach yoga?
Yoga is my lifestyle and my profession – living the enlightened state and being an example for others.
Everyone has the potential. They just have to set themselves up to make that condition work for them.
That’s why I want to share it. Because in the same way I was lit up, I love watching other people get lit up – with this practice, with dedication.
I’m emotional thinking of how it can be passed on to others; how others’ hearts can experience a freedom that can not be experienced living in their normal everyday life.
People can live a normal everyday life, but yoga is the addition that is the freedom while living in an everyday life.
Why were you open to sharing your practice in this video?
There’s nothing more beautiful than sharing something that is so meaningful and valuable to me (spoken with tears in her eyes).
To be inspired by the Light, by divinity and to share that.
Thank you.
Pondering Peace – a Visual Contemplation at Middle Three Island Pond
/in Inspiration, Newfoundland & LabradorThere’s nothing quite like life to remind us how important it is to reconnect to our inner peace.
There’s no greater gift than inner peace – for ourselves and others.
Awareness is the first key. How easily do you notice you’re off kilter?
Being able to shift back to your True Self state of inner peace is the next step.
Sometimes, awareness is the magic ingredient that triggers an instant shift into a more peaceful way of being.
From awareness comes acceptance. From acceptance comes a letting go of resistance to what is. Then comes a realignment with the truth. Being. Doing. Inner Peace.
Other times, however, that shift can take a whole lot longer and the slowness of the shift does nothing to improve your inner chaos. It just adds a layer of frustration at how human you’re being!
I arrived at this Airbnb photo job for my friend Gordon Martin of People Places & Things hours behind schedule and hungry.
I’d done well so far that morning choosing love over fear, but with a couple of hours of photography ahead before I could mess up the kitchen, my inner grumblings (physical, mental & emotional) took over. I was now hangry!
In that state, it was really hard to see the beauty around me, much less photograph it.
I was aware of my state. I even laughed at myself. I confessed to Gordon & my traveling companion Joanne that I was having an unusually hard time shifting back to peace. My emergency protein bar didn’t seem to make a difference.
My wise Observer Self fully realized what was happening. But my little human self was having an inner tantrum. Can you relate?
Finally, after I’d photographed the indoors, eaten a nice warm bowl of curry veggie stew, and headed outdoors doused in bug spray – I could much more easily focus on the beauty.
And what beauty!
As I was brought back to bliss by Mother Nature’s invitation to honour her beauty with my camera, my friend Joanne Best came back in time for a canoe ride on the very still pond.
The week before, we’d arranged to meet so she could pick up 8 paintings to bring back to Earth & Sky Gallery & Healing Centre in Twillingate for the tourist season. Perfect timing! I invited her to join me for the first of my 3 nights at this cabin on Middle Three Island Pond in Torbay, NL.
As you’ll see in the video, her birthday despacho fire ceremony was a highlight of my stay. She’d co-created this prayer bundle & offering the night before with shamanic practitioner, Regina Wright.
For the next 2.5 days & nights, I thoroughly enjoyed my inner and outer state of peace – witness to the ever-changing weather on the pond.
The fog and rain were as beautiful as the sunshine. The pure stillness was as much a blessing as the 60 km/hr ripples on the water.
Mother Nature was reminding me that if I could find beauty in all her states, I needed to do the same for myself. I too, in both my human and spirit states am beautiful.
My experience of the first few hours didn’t have to taint my whole experience. It simply was.
I acknowledged and expressed it. Then I shifted – eventually…
This is the human experience – all of it.
And as the soul quenching call of the loons brought me back to the moment with gratitude, I knew that the next time my inner grumblings got loud enough to notice, it would be easier to come back to the here and now and appreciate the process of transformation – this breath at a time.
Nature photography is part of my self-care regimen – a wonder-full transformational tool. What’s yours?
May it become easier and easier for you to realign with the loving beautiful being that you are. And may this 17-minute video “Pond(ering) Peace” add a layer of love & beauty to your day. Enjoy! If the video quality is poor, use the little gear wheel bottom right to change it to High Definition (1080 HD).
P.P.S. I’m slowing down for the summer, giving myself permission to publish a post every 2 weeks until September. May you too find ways to relax and listen to the callings of your inner peace.
Pilgrim on the Faery Path – Video Poetry
/in Inspiration, Photography ProjectsWhat splendour! The neighbourhood has been transformed!
For years I thought these intricate white starbursts of flowers were Queen Anne’s Lace. Turns out, I was wrong. It happens….
As an artist, the name doesn’t really matter.
If I was a forager, however, confusing these flowers as Queen Anne’s Lace could be deadly. There may be a mix of its six lookalikes in this video – not sure. But don’t worry; there’s no chance I’ll be drinking poison hemlock tea!
Instead, I’m grateful to have these lacy beauties infuse my eyes with beauty, my heart with joy, and my spirit with poetry.
Enjoy experiencing the magic of this faery playground in this new 5-minute poetry video created with photos from recent years.
Thanks goes out once again to Jacqueline Cook for her Celtic harp song, “Visions”.
Pilgrims on the Faery Path
Welcome pilgrims to the path
Each year you appear like an overnight sensation
A carpet of lace as far as the eye can see
Stitched in entwined splendour
Elegant, wild, and graceful
A wave of love & beauty sweeping
The valleys of my heart
Your flurry of Divine expression
An initiation of transformation
Manifested dreams frolicking in the breeze
Widespread, fleeting
A chaos of ephemeral exquisiteness
I am transformed by your presence
Your intricate lace infolding my heart
I feel you. I see you. I sense you.
I am you. You are me.
An invitation to slow down
As each step reveals a new vista of splendour
Both a macrocosm and microcosm of Divine Unity
Each flower a cluster of a hundred umbels
Infinite blossoming starbursts
Lining the path
As if the hem of a bridal veil
Hosting visitors at the celebration
Flowing back to the Ocean of Oneness
As you beckon me forward as if onto my Self
Intertwined with purity, freedom and expansion
I breathe in this magical faery playground
Listening to the heartbeat of nature elementals
I swoon as your scent infuses my soul
Meshed with the delicate fragrance of my inspired thoughts
Permeating every cell in my body
I bow my head to the ground
In awe of you, Mother Earth
Your breezy white-petalled dance
Caressing my reverence
For your lacy white spread
May be considered by some as a pest
But know that here in my heart
It’ll always be a welcomed summer guest.
P.S. I welcome donations of any amount to support my art sharings by Paypal or e-transfers (Canadians) to [email protected]. I thank my patrons with a credit (or dedication to your loved one if you prefer) in future video productions. Thanks for your support.