hurricane resistant homes

In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian we recommend this Yes Magazine article on a better alternative to replace lost homes - RAPIDO.

RAPIDO replaces disposable FEMA trailers with a small-but-livable housing “core” - a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom. The structure was specifically designed so more bedrooms could be added incrementally once a second round of government funding came through.

Image courtesy of bcWORKSHOP

The first step is to help build a structure that is safe and sanitary and pleasing.

“Our goal with RAPIDO was to do it fast and cheaply, but also for the house to reflect who the family is, rather than ‘this is just a disaster recovery project,’” says Elaine Morales, the architect with BC Workshop who designed the homes. 

The 432-square-foot core of the RAPIDO homes uses pre-fab panels designed so the home can be finished in a week without heavy machinery and by a team of two framers, an electrician, and a plumber.

The coalition behind RAPIDO perhaps knows, better than anyone, there is no one-size-fits-all housing solution to disaster recovery. But mainstreaming that very philosophy may turn out to be our best bet when the next disaster strikes.

feeding my hungry wolf

If you haven't heard this it is a worthwhile teaching tale. 

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil–he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you–and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Today my wolves were in full scale battle and I was on the losing end. 

Working on something and getting nowhere. I let loose petty words that hurt too much. Slash and burn. Like a wildfire run amok.

Needed something done and pushing too hard. I let loose harsh words that shamed and blamed. A steam roller overturning everything. Winding us all up.

Waiting for something and frustrated over it not happening. I let loose a stream of scathing emails. Drowning reason in turbulence. Eroding our collaboration.

I lost. So much. Efforting. Willfully. Woefully. Diminished.

sturgeon full moon | August 15

The Open Center in New York City offers monthly Full Moon Circles that I have been meaning to join since I first attended a certificate course in sound healing. 

The session I finally attended was officiated by Olivia Olkowski, an Open Center graduate and facilitator. Olivia is a certified Shaman and Curandera of the ancient Mayan healing lineage.

At summer’s peak our large group gathered in the main hall to explore the element of Fire, plant medicine, and areas of the heart.

We were caringly guided through ritual and shamanic journey work to unravel energies within ourselves that were revealed, restored and/or released. Leading us ever towards their purpose in our lives.

Together we collaborated to create a sacred space where we let go of these things that have ripened with the aid of the waning full moon. What no longer served was released - unburdening us on our true path.

Olivia possesses a sweet nurturing energy nourished by her close affinity with Pachamama. This was counterbalanced by her strong and direct condor totem energy. 

The two shamanic journeys she guided us through had us traveling incredulous worlds to reveal answers to our questions and imbue our prayers with loving power. 

For those who were unable to attend we encourage you to clear your schedule and make the time to come by soon. 

soothing the savage beast

That's me!

aswirl in a chaos of lines & patterns

Of late it really does not take much to rile  or ruffle me.

easing into some mindless freefall

I walk around in a daze my heart in shreds at our humanity.

pacing myself, one quadrant at a time

Ready to tear my heart out or tear into others.

slowly & surely, working towards center

Pity the plebe who encounters my wrath.

move, moving, movement

In sheer desperation I turn back to my coloring book to soothe my troubled soul.

mandalas of mine

Read all about it on Medium.com.

https://medium.com/@icurra/pen-ink-53298dcef11

metaphysics & transformational shifts

Every particle of light we see is made up from photons, which are believed to hold multi-dimensional energy travelling through space containing data and information possibly from millions of years ago.

When we sense and decode the messages hidden within light particles, we then open up to the highest level of consciousness, awakening, and enlightenment. This process is known as ascension, as we transcend the physical state and communicate with the non-physical by absorbing and channeling highly charged energy through our chakras.

Metaphysical is a word used to describe life-force energy that is not physical; therefore, it is not always possible to see it. Unfortunately, when we rely only on our five senses, we miss out on a huge part of our human experience, as non-visible energy is vital, intuitive life-force energy, full of wisdom and knowledge that can guide and transform our lives.

ready, willing, able

Dearly Beloveds -

We are invited to immerse our Self in deeply soulful and embodied conversation with every one and every thing that surrounds us.

Step out in the world - embrace the living creatures and breathe in Mother Nature. Attentive to all that surrounds us - in the midst of our urban jungles and out closer to the untamed and wild.

Explore our inner landscape - the structures and systems we build our belief and character on. Touch each item, feel each sensation.

Do they pierce the heart? Do they bring joy and satisfaction?

Do we love them? Are we loved back by them?

Connecting. Cocreating. Collaborating.

Where do I choose to focus my embodied attentiveness?

Does my awareness bring things around me to life?

Make them live? Or be more alive?

What is our relation? our relatedness? our inter-being?

Interrelated. Sparking our being.

Let us enter a conversation.

At once wise and practical

Unfurl our intuition.

Be guided by imagination.

Significant. Purpose filled. Life giving.

"Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the

 conversation. The kettle is singing

 even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots

 have left their arrogant aloofness and

 seen the good in you at last. All the birds

 and creatures of the world are unutterably

 themselves. Everything is waiting for you." 

~ David Whyte from Everything is Waiting for You 

Every thing IS waiting for you. Come out and play.

Let go and be lured.

Let be and be allured.

This is the love story that our life is. 

Let us find each other here.

Kymatica | consciousness + metaphysics

This documentary focuses on human and universal consciousness and goes deeper into the metaphysical aspects of reality.

Kymatica, the sequel to 'Esoteric Agenda', by Ben and Daniel Stewart from Talismanic Idols, ventures into the realm of Cymatics and Shamanic practices. It offers insight into the human psyche and discusses matters of spirituality, altered states of consciousness and much more.

Evolution is a term to define only one organism and that’s the self. The self is the universe, the self is the alpha and omega, god, and infinity, and that’s the only thing that evolves because we are all part of the self.

“Every person, from morning till evening, is making invisible forms in space by what he says. He is creating invisible vibrations around him, and so he is producing an atmosphere.” - Hazrat Inayat Khan, The Mysticism of Sound and Music

“The rediscovered knowledge of the science of sound shows that sound is something more than mere vibratory signals, not only does sound interact with life but it sustains and develops it. It acts as a conduit of conscious intent between people, societies and entire civilizations.” - Kymatica Documentary (2009)

Nothing goes through an evolutionary process alone or without direct benefit to the whole. So when you begin to think that there’s this controlling elite, this controlling hand behind the curtains leading the planet to destruction.

When you think the end is near, the apocalypse, Armageddon, and when you think we as a species are doomed, it is not they, it is you that brought this about, and for a very good reason. You are evolving.

Stop blaming everybody and everything else. Quit panicking about global tyranny and natural disaster and pay attention, because the world is telling you something; it tells you exactly what is wrong with you and how to fix it.

There is a system in place right now that has been destroying our planet and the resources for the past centuries; but lucky for the planet, there are many great selfless people all over the world, who have at least an idea of what is happening.

They are trying their best to inform others about the situation of the world. They empower the individual to take control for what is happening to the world, and to realize the impact their thoughts and attitude play on the entire Global Consciousness.

feel deeply | love fully

"For those who feel too much, may you guard your position as holy."

As tensions rise, so has the need for more healers.

The waymakers, the agents of change, the ones armed with compassion.

No day passes without my heart being stretched to its capacity.

These feelings are what we are made of, beneath this skin and bone. 

These feelings were first created inside stars and passed down to us through the bloodlines of ancient sages. 

They connect us to each other with the invisible threads of our shared experiences.

When we let ourselves feel unapologetically and share the experience, we allow others to have the courage to sink into their feelings in a more authentic way and express themselves without shame.

Deep feelings are a gift; they have the capacity to transform us if we follow their wisdom. Allow yourself to feel from your core, with your heart, and let yourself be moved.

The feelings we feel so often, are our connection to the divine, and ultimately to our self. Let them wash over you like waves; let them heal you. Let them break you and build you.

Let your feelings show you who you are and then let them set you free.

midsummer muni muni

This week, the Summer Solstice (also known as Midsummer) marks the high point of light in the northern hemisphere - the longest day, the shortest night.

Kay Nielsen original watercolor from "The Tale of the First Dervish"

Courtesy of TASCHEN

At the same time, we cannot forget that the dark is rising. As we sink into our body and laze in the warm sultry sunshine the body acknowledges this even when the mind will not.

The body enjoys the warmth and the light but also possesses the deep knowing that these days will soon be gone. So it seeks to enjoy it now and bottle the feeling up for later.

This summer has remained cool most days due to heavier rainfall than previous years. When the rains come in thick curtains it reminds me of monsoon season back home in the Philippines.

Long and lazy summer days of lolling siesta hours. Relief from the bright sun found in the cooling shadows of cloud cover and fresh chilled sheets of a shuttered bedroom.

Too weighed down to exert much effort. All too eager for a midday nap to take a break from the relentless heat.

Afternoon delight. Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)? Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)? 

This is dedicated to the innocence of our youth and the man child who stole my 17 year old heart. 

a polymath community

The universal being or a polymath (Greek: πολυμαθής, polymathēs, "having learned much"; Latin: 
homo universalis, "universal man") is an individual whose knowledge spans a significant number of subjects, known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems. 

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci

All inclusive, non sectarian, non denomination centers of education in many parts of the world are devoted to creating and developing the type of human being curious and concerned enough to keep on learning. 

In all our diversity any type of specialization may be too limiting if we are working towards a more complete form of thinking and being. 

This is expressed in the term Renaissance man, often applied to the gifted people of that age who sought to develop their abilities in all areas of accomplishment: intellectual, artistic, social and physical. 

At the recent graduation of the latest batch of sound healing practitioners at New York Open Center I was delighted and astounded by the diverse and masterful accomplishments presented by each graduate. Kudos to you, the faculty and organization for bringing this into our world. Bravo! 

Integrating sound into any type of practice is a major plus for our evolution and enlightenment. Channeling this power through each unique individual is only limited and bound by their imagination and insight. 

The vibratory ripples are cosmic and life changing on so many levels. We stand in awe of your incredible contribution. 

Good vibes go round and round.