Howard McQueen's Blog (436)

Experienced in Dahlonega, GA 

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

I see the wild, unbridled aliveness in your eyes.

I feel the passion for inviting others into the radiant warmth of your embrace.

At the summer concert in our town square,

 I watch as you hand out small vials containing a magic liquid and magic wand.

The children (as well as a few adults) open these vials,

 then breathe outwardly into their wand,

 releasing a…

(C) 2011 Howard McQueen

Rather than "quiet the mind", see the mind as an instrument that manufactures wildly diverging possibilities, all in an attempt to create control.  We become wise when we realize that controlling sets into motion its own set of repercussions.

Version 3.1

(C) 2011 Howard McQueen

As we gain experience coming face-to-face

 with our insecurities,

 we have the opportunity to befriend our self.

When seen as opportunities to reconnect to intimacy,

 we discover we can take on the often difficult work of 

 dropping illusions,

 dissolving fantasies

 and coming to peace with whatever remains divided and separated within.

Unentangling our self…

From the book Beauty, By John O’Donohue

Page 190

When you consider where we go and who we become in dream, it is often an achievement to show up for breakfast in the morning.

© 2011 Howard McQueen

On the bridge,

just before dusk.

Not a cloud in the sky.

The river flows slowly,

its surface smooth as glass.

Surprisingly, there is the appearance of

ultra-fine rain dimpling the surface.

Hmmm.

Down at water’s edge is evidence:

a vast civilization of mobilized water bugs,

their staccato movements of propulsion

ever-so-slightly dimpling the…

From the Daily Inspiration service of Don Miguel Ruiz

Doubt is a powerful tool. Doubt challenges my beliefs and breaks the spell of all the lies and superstitions that control my world. I use doubt to recover faith in myself, to take my power back from every superstition I believe in, and return that power to myself.

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

Exploring our inner landscapes,

 especially the darkened places

 where the candle has been seemingly snuffed out.

It often takes multiple visits 

 to relight the candle that seems to have blown out.

And, even then, those mind-made miseries  

 may take a while to relax and dissolve.

Sometimes it requires a courage to eat the demon.

Sometimes it is manifesting the patience…

Version 2.0

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

Time to reassess.

Time to sober up.

Time to let go all the false pretenses and ignorance.

Time to stop that hiding in the shadows,

 relying upon all those repetitious patterns of self-medication.

Engaging life.

Riding the bronco.

Looking the dragon in the eye.

Eating the demon for breakfast.

Being in this world without acting out

 fear, or…

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

We humans live in the seeming paradox

 of being both distinct life forms as well as being interwoven into life.

We believe our pain is unique

 instead of shared 

 and we disconnect into the artificial illusions of separation.

We can become so practiced with separation that what is artificial

 covers over what is real

 and we become lost in the smoke and mirrors…

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

What is universal,

 lights up my eyes

 and all my senses.

Membranes, skin and bones

 form these temporary boundaries

 and I claim this shell-of-a-body as my home.

Fifty trillion cells coalesce and make agreement to cooperate

 in organic, clockwork-like rhythms.

The bounty of our Earth is brought to my table,

 all this effort brought to bear to sustain my life

 and…

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

Like experiencing magic for the very first time,

 like the first glimpse of the ocean

 or the snow-capped mountains,

 we hold a depth-of-capacity

 to vibrate with delight.

A ten year old sofa bed is retired from the vacation rental cabin

 and is donated to a consignment shop.

A single young mother scrapes up the money to buy this,

 so very delighted to have something like this to grace…

© 2011 Howard McQueen

The troubled mind is so easily isolated, so easily it maneuvers our awareness back into a corner:

  too much information,

  not enough information,

  needing to control outcomes.

The mind cramps and our inner weather darkens

  as old patterns of trouble accept invitation to take root and dominate.

LIKE SELLING A HOUSE AND BUYING A HOUSE

The mind wants to quantify and…

© 2011 Howard McQueen

Become deeply anchored in this home, your organic body.

Let your emotions be felt,

passing them through your heart,

to guide your purity of intent.

Intermixed with all the blissfulness,

are the emotions of anger, grief and shame. 

These are the emotions that have been allowed

to bypass the heart

and fester in the mind

as wounds that ooze as suffering.

Consider how…

© 2011 Howard McQueen

Set aside, for the moment, that special someone we refer to as our sweetheart.

Turn inwardly with me so together,

we can cultivate an appreciation for our inner heart-space.

You are the chef, the alchemist, the director responsible for the sweetness of your heart.  When you place all your resources,

all your being, in the service of keeping your heart sweet,

life itself becomes increasingly…

© 2011 Howard McQueen

I’m overwhelmed again,

having encountered an inner burden,

a blockage that alters and depreciates

my connection to the present moment.

Being overwhelmed is reaching another inner threshold,

an opportunity to grow, inwardly.

It could be something you need to fully witness to integrate.

It could be shifting your relationship with another and reclaiming your power.

It could be surrendering…

© 2011 Howard McQueen

How do we, once we have opened our heart,

 live in a world with others

 that behave in heartless ways? 

Before we talk about everyone else,

  we could perhaps ask ourselves

   “how needy are we to receive the love of others?”

When we try to woo another

  to win their affections and acceptance,

  we often overlook the flaws and the wounds

  that need to be seen, in order to be…

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

Life unfolds in an infinitely high-definition, broadband overflow,

 containing levels of granularity that are unknowable.

Most of the time, we are blessed to be insulated from this

 overwhelming flow.

And yet, blessings can just as easily morph into curses,

 as we rely upon our filters to create assumptions

 that dumb-down our experiences.

This can lead to insular expectations for how we…

© 2011 Howard McQueen

An abiding love does not hold back.

It waits for opportunities to express its

 myriad commitments to loving.

One who has this abiding love overflows from source,

 feeling a deep, sweet centeredness

 assert itself throughout their days.

An abiding love’s sweetness is contagious,

 as it lands upon others as unconditional encouragement.

An abiding love brings us the lesson…

(c) 2011 Howard McQueen

Our assessments,

 our judgments

 levied upon our self

  "You failed under pressure"

  "You failed to keep the marriage intact"

  " You ... "

These judgments lodge very deep,

 residing underneath

 veiled and cloaked.

They are like silent thieves,

 bands of saboteurs,

 contract assassins.

They actualize self-limiting  and…

Version 2.0

© 2011 Howard McQueen

Venture forth blithe spirit,

 for this universe is your home.

This abundant world of natural resources

 invites you to play

 and marvel in what you may discover.  

This brief pilgrimage,

  Feel it all,

  take it all in,

  venture forth.

And remember, you are gifted with the ability to discern

 and become increasing aware

 and…