I am the One who, when you feel isolated and distant, brings you back into awareness that you are connected. You are never alone. I am the One who holds community for you.
What is your gift or message for me?
The Universe is all one, and separation is an illusion.
What do you want me to do?
Seek wha you need. You will find it.
Why did you show up today?
Sometimes you get lost inside your head.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is loneliness.
I am the One who is transparent. I am the One who engages the left brain. I see things from many angles, I scheme, I plan, I deduce.
What is your gift or message for me?
The tool is effective only when used well.
What do you want me to do?
Use your left brain more.
Why did you show up today?
Because you've been resistant.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is linearity.
What is your gift or message for me?
I am your source. I served a purpose.
What do you want me to do?
Remember that I am "a good place to be from" even though I could not sustain you. To feel proud of your achievement of burning down your old life to release potential for new.
Why did you show up today?
To remind you of the many strengths you developed growing up with me. To ask you to remember me and not disparage your origins.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The light is hardiness, stamina.
I am one who was your friend for 15 years. I am one who provided many moments of intimacy and comfort. I introduced Claire to her first animal companion. I am one who was vocal, expressive, loud. I was large and in charge. I had great personality and presence. I am one with whom you began again. I moved across country with you. I was 17 when I died, and I'd had a good, long life. I loved you unconditionally.
What is your gift or message for me?
You gave me a wonderful life, and I gave you all my love.
What do you want me to do?
Remember me.
Why did you show up today?
You are missing me and want to enjoy a reminder. I died two years ago on the day you are making this card.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
I offer the light of happy memories.
I am one who is a doula for your soul. I join you on the journey of finding your truth and expressing what is true for you. I am one who accepts emotional messiness and encourages intimacy. I am comfortable with silence. I help you listen to your wisdom and not abandon yourself. I am one who practices Presence.
What is your gift or message for me?
You can trust Life's wisdom.
What do you want me to do?
Notice your bodily sensations and where your feelings manifest. Keep practicing how to speak your truth. Listen to your intuition.
Why did you show up today?
To celebrate our work together.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is the potential to confuse boundaries.
I am one who, after living in your neighborhood for five years, decided to adopt you. I am one who is a cat about town, yet I am also loving. I am mellow and enjoy cuddling. I am one who brings you gifts of mice and birds. I am one who entices you to sit outside and watch the world with me. I am god in fur.
What is your gift or message for me?
I am your cat, and I am not your cat. I am my own self.
What do you want me to do?
Keep loving me the way you do, with food, snuggles, and kindness. Keep coming outside to be with me.
Why did you show up today?
You are thinking of your feline friends lately. Stella died two years ago on the day you made this card. You miss her.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is the desire to take me in and make me yours.
I am one who bathes in nature. I am one whose connection to nature restores my being.
What is your gift or message for me?
You are of this world and in this world. You are inseparable from it.
What do you want me to do?
Go outside. It's that simple. Sit against a tree. Lie in the grass.
Why did you show up today?
Because nature beckons, and you've been hungry and thirsty for it.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is overgrowth.
Crossroads
My body, now that we will not be traveling together much longerI begin to feel a new tenderness toward you, very raw and unfamiliar,like what I remember of love when I was young --love that was so often foolish in its objectivesbut never in its choices, its intensities.Too much demanded in advance, too much that could not be promised --My soul has been so fearful, so violent:forgive its brutality.As though it were that soul, my hand moves over you cautiously,not wishing to give offensebut eager, finally, to achieve expression as substance:it is not the earth I will miss,it is you I will miss.- Louise Glück
I am one who shows you your life as it is. I introduced you to Zen Buddhism and the "cushion of kindness." I share wisdom so you can be the mother you are, and I invited you to see your life as a spiritual practice. I am one who teaches and learns. I am your dharma mother.
What is your gift or message for me?
Buddhists are imperfect, and awakening is a process that requires practice.
What do you want me to do?
Make the commitment to put the practice on the cushion at the front and center of your life.
Why did you show up today?
To keep you company.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is deluding yourself that you are practicing simply because you know me.
What is your gift or message for me?
The purity and integrity of Zen teachings flows through established lineages. At Hazy Moon we are not playing at being Buddhists.
What do you want me to do?
Don't pretend. Take the steps in your practice as you are able. Come to us when you can. Becoming officially Buddhist isn't as important as becoming, through practice, a Buddha.
Why did you show up today?
To honor the path you find yourself following.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is being pre-occupied with the idea of legitimacy and in judging other centers as not real or good enough.
What is your gift or message for me?
You asked, and you received.
What do you want me to do?
Remember me fondly.
Why did you show up today?
Because you are honoring your community, and I am part of that.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is pining for the past.
I am one who welcomed you to California. I am cozy and small and taught you to downsize your life. I witnessed your creative flow with making art and knitting. I was the chapel for your wedding. I am one who held you through two miscarriages and the third successful conception. I taught you the beauty of light and gave you a garden to play in.
What is your gift or message for me?
I was rejected by you at first glance, but I turned out to be exactly what you needed.
What do you want me to do?
Remember to look more closely at what you are tempted to dismiss.
Why did you show up today?
To make you smile.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
Light is always present.
I am one whom you chose in the desperation of first-trimester exhaustion and nausea. I had four levels and 28 steps and was not ideal for a new family, but you bloomed within me nonetheless. I sheltered you through first steps and emerging teeth, through hundreds of hours of cuddling. Because I was a rental you had no fear of doing crafts and cooking with a toddler. I had a teeny backyard patio, and I was surrounded by pavement and traffic, yet you found ways to be outdoors. You thrived as a family here for three years, and many precious memories are entwined with me.
What is your gift or message for me?
Ideal circumstances are not required for growth.
What do you want me to do?
Work with whatever is at hand.
Why did you show up today?
To give you a chance to have happy memories.
If you have a shadow, what would it be? Or, what light do you offer?
The shadow is allowing constraints and difficulties to be a reason to shut down.