by ingrid on September 21, 2010
Today I awoke
into a poem.
Everywhere I look,
another verse emerging.
Glint of sun, shimmering leaf,
dusty road along the woodlands.
If I feel a moment of sadness,
I will allow myself to feel sadness.
If I feel a moment of merriment,
I’ll give thanks for this as well.
It seems that I
can do nothing
to stop this poem
from unfolding.
~~~~~~~
I wrote the above poem as I was beginning to feel a new energy flow into my life. Rose has been away at college for a few weeks, and I must admit I built much of my world around her (and Jonah and Bella.) As with a break-up or separation, it’s quite an unravelling- quite an adjustment in the Mothering journey to have a child venture from the nest. She seems to be doing very well. And I am doing much better. In the first week I was surprised by how I would be overcome with emotion at any moment. There was no sense in repressing this- it felt very necessary and life affirming to let it move through my body. With the poem below, I invite you- I offer tender permission- to let some of your own sorrows out.
Sometimes We Must Let the Weeping Come,
to bring its soft relief
like a dry summer’s rain;
a small brook flowing
amid the reaching ferns.
Sometimes to confess
the sadness we’ve been holding
makes way for a lightness again,
or at least the hint of an opening.
If the heart, like a cup, is too full,
we must spill some sorrows out ~
to make room for the possible gift
of something new, or fresh, or healing.
WOMEN’S RETREAT ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD ~ November 12-14th 2010
If you are longing for a weekend of renewal, refreshment, inquiry, sisterhood, and a lot of wonderfulness in between, check out this women’s retreat that I will be co-facilitating with Anne Colangeli and MJ Bindu Delekta. We will gather at MJ’s Sacred Circle of Yoga, and allow the weekend to unfold as it will, depending on what our hearts yearn for.
Connect to your deepest self through yoga, poetry, laughter, play and relaxation…
by ingrid on June 17, 2010
Rose and I visited Blackwater Pond the other day. The water lilies were magnificent. The pond stretched out with such peaceful being, and birds poured out their music. We are so grateful to the Martha’s Vineyard Landbank for preserving pockets of beauty throughout the island for all of us to enjoy.
by ingrid on April 28, 2010
Soften, Soften. Feel your own perfection.
by ingrid on April 22, 2010
Ask me for a certain amount of dollars if you will.
But do not ask me for my afternoons.
~Henry David Thoreau
by ingrid on April 1, 2010
istock
Within you are gardens, rare flowers, peacocks,
the inner music; Within you a lake of bliss,
on it the white soul-swans take their joy.
~Mirabai
translated by Jane Hirshfield
Women in Praise of the Sacred
by ingrid on April 1, 2010
istock photo, leadinglights
THERE IS A FIELD OF JOY YOU MAY REST IN
There is a field of consciousness deep within you that contains the Universe; a field of love and beauty, truth, harmony and light. Opening to this consciousness brings a luminous feeling of bliss. Dwelling in this field feels like coming home… Seeing it in others, you realize all are One… You may dance in this field, wander in this field, and find guidance in this field. You may rest in this field whenever your mortal mind is weary. Take yourself there and rest. It is the breath within your breath, the space between your thoughts. It is your deep inner stillness, your indwelling peace and joy.
From THE JOY BOOK
by ingrid on March 1, 2010
From within or from behind
a light shines through us upon things,
and makes us aware that we are nothing,
but the light is all.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
by ingrid on January 6, 2010
“Wisdom is the art of living
in rhythm with your soul, your life,
and with the Divine….Wisdom is
the way you learn to decipher
the unknown which is our
closest companion.”
~John O’Donohue, in an interview with
Krista Tippet, Speaking of Faith
“After you jump and
before you land
is God.”
~Gabrielle Roth, Maps To Ecstasy
by ingrid on December 4, 2009
“Earthly things must be known to be loved;
Divine things must be loved to be known.”
~Blaise Pascal
by ingrid on November 24, 2009
“Such blessings we receive,
such gifts of grace.
If we have wandered from the path of gladness,
point us back to life!”
~Ingrid Goff-Maidoff
Happy Thanksgiving to all. As is my habit, here are some excerpts from my book, Simple Graces for Every Meal. I penned these graces in hopes that they would be comfortable and inspiring in all kinds of company. Joy to you this holiday season, Ingrid
in the sweetness of this hour
with full and thankful hearts;
thoughtful and generous minds.
~
We are gathered together
in a circle of plenty,
a circle of love, and a circle of light.
With peaceful hearts, we welcome each other.
With grateful hearts, we give thanks.
~
With joy and reverence we give thanks
for the wondrous power of growing things,
and for the sustenance our lives receive
from the beauty of the earth
and the fellowship of all beings.
~
Life that gives us life, we thank you.
To all who live on Martha’s Vineyard: The Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven has honored me with a lovely display. I am very grateful to have a year round outlet for my work there. I’ll also be at the Artisan’s Fair on Friday and Saturday this week, so please come! And my work is available at the Holiday Cooperative Shop on Main Street in Vineyard Haven (near Leslie’s).
