Photo Blog ~ The Grotto

Published August 2, 2018 by tindertender

Some of the pictures are slightly blurry after crop and enlargement. The sight was beautiful and so peaceful.

The artwork is amazing! The detail in some of the faces shows the awesome skill of the person who formed these plaques.

I was stopped by a gal who asked if I were Catholic since I had attended the Daily Mass. I told her I was fascinated by all who sought the Divine …

There were tiled paintings, and fabric paintings, and wood carvings.

If you ever find yourself in the Oregon, and like the trees, and plants, and art, look up the Grotto. It’s only a $7 entry fee.

But then … you’ve pretty much seen it all here. I would have photo’d the labyrinth after walking it, but by the time I finished there were many others on it.

I hear it is beautiful in the Spring, when the flowers first bloom. There were some flowers, but mostly just the beautiful green of the trees and plants. It was so hushed and serene … I spent two and a half hours wandering around.

One thing I will say, it’s a shame that a beautiful site such as this actually has to post big signs all over the parking lot stating not to leave valuables in the car. One would think that a sacred place might be honored, respected and safe.

HYMN TO THE DIVINE MOTHER

Published May 15, 2018 by tindertender

DEVI PRAYER

English text by Julie (Julie Redstone)

The Divine Mother is everywhere.
She is in everything.
She is the Divine Essence that lives within all beings.
Her domain is the field of life, for she gives
to all beings the sustenance that is needed for life.
Her beauty lives in the natural world,
and spans the universes in all their splendor.
She has been called by many names,
for all traditions recognize Her.
Into each consciousness the knowledge is given
of the sacredness of life.
This sacredness IS the Mother.
She is the holy generator of the physical world,
joined to the heart and soul of every living thing.
All of the Earth is one with Her.
All beings of the Earth owe their life to Her,
for she is the Mother of all, the One who bestows
all gifts of life.
Her gifts come to the deserving and to the
non-deserving alike, for the sun does not choose
upon whom to shine.
She is the source of Divine blessing, the part
of the Oneness that bestows the graces that fill life.
We have not seen Her because her being is
cloaked in silence.
She emerges now as part of the Oneness where
she has always resided, blessing all, giving to all.
All who bow before Her are sustained by the life
within them.
All who honor Her are sustained by life’s gifts
both within themselves and beyond.
The purpose of existence is to join with Life that lives
in all dimensions and all realms of being.
It is the Mother that creates this evolving,
this unfolding journey,
for she is the fabric of Time itself,
the means by which all things grow.
She is the template for life that exists within Her —
the substance and form of all that shall ever come to be.
May all be blessed by the blessings of the
Divine Oneness.

Sanskrit “Devi Prayer” from “108 Sacred Names of Mother Divine”
by Craig Pruess and Ananda:

Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Parashakti Sundari
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Mahamaye Mangale
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Mahakali Bhairavi
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Mahalakshmi Vaishnavi
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Ma Sarasvati Brahmi
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Durga Devi Shankari
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Uma Parvati Shive
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Ma Bhavani Ambike
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Annapurna Lakshmi Ma
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasya Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Kamala Katyayani
Namastastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Ma Amba Lalitha Devi
Tvam Tripura Sundari
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasya Namo Namah

Mother I Feel You

Published April 13, 2018 by tindertender

Let us grow our awareness of what is under our feet, that stable soil that holds us up and allows us to grow, and build.

The sink holes that have been occurring are due to fracking and disrespect for this planet that gives us so much. The waters that now burn are due to the same.

Let there be a shift in how we see life, what we receive and what we give.

The Love Of My Life

Published January 31, 2018 by tindertender

Mother

The love of my life is … Mother. I’m guessing it is the same for quite a number of people, which is why I am so amazed at the harsh treatment of women all over the world. I suppose it is a blaming of her for the many hurts her children experience through their young lives.

Mom cannot protect us from everything, and it isn’t something she should be blamed for. It isn’t humanly possible! All the while she cares for her children, she experiences harsh reality herself, abuses the child may never know of, even after becoming an adult.

I suppose she is the easiest target for painful experiences … first dealing with her own, and then suffering for the experiences the child may think she’s responsible for. One would think being a mother is a thankless job … yet women continue to become just that.

It would be great if people could look within their hearts and minds to discover the (probably) buried causes of their inner pain, and work though them … forgiving where needed, letting go ~ a BIG release, for it is a weight that hinders well being, not only for self, but for all others the injured spirit touches.

I know … for I was one who did exactly what I speak of, and now understand … It takes time and effort ~ living a life of peace is hard work.

A wise man once said, “It takes a strong man to go into battle, it takes an even stronger man to walk away from one”.

It is true … for in walking away, or in forgiving perceived wrongs, others may ridicule and cast their own judgments about what they think you should do. Remember, it is your own opinion about what you decide that is important. Anger, or vengeful thinking, is not a burden worth carrying, for the room created by letting it go provides space for much goodness.

Mother

Published December 26, 2017 by tindertender

Mother_1

Prayer of the Mothers

Published November 25, 2017 by tindertender

Plastic’s Affect On Ocean Life

Published November 23, 2017 by tindertender

WHY are we still using plastic?!?!?!

I have purchased Bamboo toothbrushes and will continue to buy bamboo toilet paper to lessen my impact on the forests. I bought a water distiller and a stainless steel water bottle and stopped buying bottled water some time ago.

Bamboo products

Plastic MUST go! Life of everything rides on the immediate decisions we make, all of us who do not make changes in our habits are responsible for this destruction. Life will cease if we refuse to care, and act accordingly.