Creative Buzz

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to an end but alas, the seasons must change. Here in the Pacific North West summer is too short, cliche I know. I must lament, many of the creative projects that I intended to work on or wrap up this summer simply didn’t happen. Though in my failure beauty emerged, beauty in the form of unscheduled spontaneity that resulted in amazing time with family and friends, beauty in the form of downtime that allowed a very deep and profound ancestral healing, the type that you cannot command to happen or schedule in. I feel so deeply calm and focused and although I crave more sun, as we all do, I feel ready to embrace autumn.

summer sunset

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Here is a teaser from the documentary END:CIV directed by Franklin Lopez of submedia.tv based on the works of Derek Jensen. During the winter and spring I had a ton of fun doing some post production on this project.

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Meat consumption is a significant contributor to global emissions, primarily beef and pork. The larger the animal, the heavier the footprint. If you are not vegetarian, consider going veg one day a week to do your part. If the whole planet stopped consuming meat one day a week emissions drop considerably. See if you can go to two days from there, and stick to poultry and fish, although it seems that salmon is not really an option anymore. When I think about how we can carry our existences and pursue our dreams while reducing our footprints on the planet it kicks in my creativity and I get a little buzz from it. Riding my bike around, growing food, consuming less, it has been fueling me as I discover little details that make my day more sustainable, and more magical.

 

last.fm [sound escape]

I have just returned from spending the long weekend in a beautiful forest, just 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver. I left my laptop behind and unplugged my mind from the juicy web to absorb the ever so precious forest energy. I feel so balanced and rejuvenated, ready to jump right back at a busy schedule.

forest escape

As I sit at my computer and get into work flow, plugging myself right back in, I am ecstatic to log into last.fm and type in my favorite band du jour to have a continuous stream of related tracks play on my computer. For $3/month it’s pretty decent exposure to music you may never get the chance to groove to and if you are savvy enough you can sync it to your ipod. And if I discover a group that moves me enough, I’ll definitely go out and buy their CD. Although I have over 3,000 songs on my computer, I get restless and seek new sonic expressions/music. I also love the back ground info that accompanies each musician/genre with last.fm. Music is king, and there are some wicked musicians raising it up out there, transforming a mundane moment into total bliss.

…currently drinking a spicy mix of root tea.

 

EARTHday Everyday

I had a conversation with my son today about the EARTH, and we concluded that because there are now an unprecedented number of us humans co-habituating on this planet that everything we do, every choice we make, has to be done with mindfulness. We have been using five planet’s resources, this has to change. We can do it.

I see the current state of the global economy as an opportunity for the less ethical structures to crumble, giving rise to the sustainably focused organizations to flourish. There are artists that are thriving now because their work educates, inspires, raises awareness… they are living in line with their souls purpose.

life blossoming

Earth is a vortex of LIFE, in a barren galaxy there rotates a ball filled with living creatures, large and minuscule. All lifeforms are what should be celebrated, all lifeforms have the opportunity to teleport us into bliss.

I had the wonderful opportunity to be a doula for my friends first baby’s birth. I have only slept for a few hours since Sunday, yet I am so full of energy, and love. As I held her this evening I felt so much peace, so much purity. When I looked at my friend’s baby girl, I didn’t just see a new born baby, I saw a mass of energy so profound, so pure. We all are born with this purity, we all have this vulnerability to us. Please, do your hardest to never harm anyone. And all life on this planet is precious, we must defend it. And yes, I am high from the experience.

 

Environmental Guidelines by a Buddhist Master

With great joy I am passing on the link to a downloadable book written by HH the 17th Karmapa, a Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher. It was written to ensure all Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, centres and communities are clear on how they can have a positive impact on the fragile Tibetan ecosystem rather than contribute to further destructive practices. This 26 page ‘Archana’ in PDF format clearly defines how to protect our forests, our water, our wildlife, and discusses waste management and climate change. It pertains to Tibet but is applicable to the entire planet and is a must read.

When HH Karmapa gave public talks in Seattle last year I was inspired to hear him say that the world is in a state where it is in danger of being destroyed, and that we have to get out there and do something about it. As meditators we don’t have the luxury of sitting in caves and enjoying benefits of lots of spiritual practice. We have to work hard and bring all of our efforts out into the world. He gave us some very clear instructions on how to do this. And do this I do.

HH the 17th Karmapa

I challenge all religious heads, governments, corporations and collectives to take this issue seriously and implement such guidelines. Hop on board! Collaborate, think about what the obstacles to living on our planet without damaging it are, find ways to live on the land sustainably while bringing it back into a state of balance, and relentlessly support this ambitious endeavor. I feel so relieved after reading this clear manual that these coherent words are accessible.

It is a beautiful book with 4 lovely watercolor paintings that Karmapa painted and you don’t have to be a Buddhist to gain from reading it. So… CLICK HERE to download this free read and think about how you are refining your part.

drinking kava root tea…