June Moon Cycle Begins Speaking Truth

Red Moon Madonna and the Storytellers Speaking Truth.
Painting in Process; CJ Faivre; 2018-2020
30x30 Acrylic on Canvas 

June's moon cycle brings opportunities to practice Speaking Truth. I think this is the perfect medicine to follow the cycle just ended (see: Closing Moon for May:what truths we have heard ). The legacy of the storyteller comes into play as we step into June's moon cycle. 

On Wednesday, I finished listening to The Great Influenza by John M. Barry.  Barry is a researcher and historian.  I don't know if he would refer to himself this way, but he is a storyteller who Speaks Truth. There is a lot of story in 560 pages of the book-and a lot of history. History that appears to be repeating itself in our present experience of the COVID19 Pandemic. I began listening to The Great Influenza while I was sewing masks for front-line workers and family, shortly after we had begun to shelter at home in mid-March. I thought Barry's book could offer me a context for what was happening, and did it ever!  But rather than being depressing, Barry's story helped me know that I/we are not alone; this has happened before; the suffering and loss is real and far reaching; there is a way forward; what I/we do makes a differrence. Barry's book also gave me a renewed awareness of how important it is to Speak Truth and to discern those who are the Truth Speakers. 

During this June Moon for Speaking Truth, I hope to do my part as Storyteller and Truth Speaker through my painting.  The painting above I started two years ago as Red Maddona. I couldn't find a way to finish her, and she has hung dormant on my wall for the past year.  As I sat in meditation on the night of May's Closing Moon, the vision of who she is became clear. Red is the color for the moon cycle of June. The Madonna is scattering sacred stories to the world.  Storyteller grandmothers are behind her; a child, with no face/or every face, reaches for her.  Totems of the drum, coyote, trees, whale and crow (or tucan in you live south of the equator) are beginning to show themselves. All these totems have their own part in teaching us humans what it is to speak truth.  I can't wait to see what unfolds, for I often feel the painting paints herself, and that I am just the tool for creating. I'll share in the blog as I paint and I learn.  Thanks for reading.

       

Loving the Truth of All Aspects of ‘Me’: Starting with My Body PART TWO

To Love Truth means to live in acceptance of what is shown us; which ultimately means we come to love the very thing we have had difficulty accepting.

Carolyn continues her share: "Following my imaginary walk with my body, I became aware of a new, clear intention to actually spend time and energy loving my body. Today I felt myself wanting to love her and care for her. And because of her trust in sharing her truth with me,  I heard clearly how she experienced me as always rushing, and the cost of that behavior to her health and ability to give me what I want and ask of her. She reflected to me (as do all our relationships reflect a larger truth to us) the rushing behavior that is so prevalent in almost all areas of my life.  How, just like cramming food down my throat, I cram way too much into my day and my schedule. She, my body, who is servant to the rest of me, pays the price. Her care is the first thing I have been setting aside in favor of other 'necessities' on my calendar. Of course, all this can change, must change. I will practice loving her, and I will stop putting off until tomorrow what is called for today.  I believe that is called 'living in the present'. It is the best prevention for warding off the phrase "it's too late".  This lesson has been hard won in the 60+ years I have already lived. My body sharing her wisdom and experience with me lets me know I have a choice."

Self Reflection:  Am I willing to live in balance in my life, in balance with my body?

Loving the Truth of All Aspects of ‘Me’: Starting with My Body

Imagine yourself taking a taking a walk with your physical body. Of course, anytime we take a walk, it is our physical body who does the walking, but this time, imagine you are walking with your physical body, as a companion to her.  The two of you are walking with the intention of having a truthful conversation about your body and it is first ‘body’s’ opportunity to speak truth to you, and you job is listening and to receive with an open, non-judging and receptive heart, to your body’s truth.

Carolyn shares: "The first time walking with my body, I chose a set time for meditation-about 25 minutes and sat comfortably, imagining walking beside this body, long silver grey hair and an easy gate in her walk. I ask  my‘body’ to speak to me the truth of her experience as the one who carries the rest of me around. 

"My body speaks: 'You don’t give me enough time-enough time to go to the bathroom, I feel hurried, like you are impatient with how long bodily functions take. And the same with eating. I can’t digest as fast as you eat, it’s hard for stomach to deal with the chunks of food that you haven’t chewed well enough to break down. This makes your allergies worse, and then I suffer for that because I have bits of toxins and irritation in the most tender places of my body: my joints and soft tissue. It’s hard to stay healthy when I am using so much of my daily energy to deal with that, and yet, I want to move more. That would help every part of me.'

"My body continues: 'I feel like when you look at me you are comparing me with how you think I should look, noticing new wrinkles and age spots, or places you call ‘fat’. Give me time and I can show you how I am meant to look- not the way you think I should, not the way I do now. You are not able to imagine that, but I would reveal it to you, if you would let me.'

"I ask what Body needs: 'Love me, appreciate the 24/7 work I do for you. Be willing to set aside the habits of the emotions and the mind where I end up feeling like a catch-all for your unfinished emotions and unresolved conflicts. I am a garbage can for food stuff that you love, but is toxic for my cells and my heart. Have gratitude, don’t just say it, act toward me as if you are grateful. This is energy for me, for my soul-yes I am a part of your soul.' I am surprised by that, I hadn’t thought of my soul as having ‘parts’, but it makes sense when I think about it, that I am ALL a manifestation of my soul’s energy.

"My time for my walk with my body is coming to a close, and I feel I have just scratched the surface in hearing what my body would teach me about her truth. I am surprised that the anxiety I had at the start is no longer present in my body, or in my feelings. I feel more connected with this physical part of myself.  I do thank my body, and I AM living in a different way to change this relationship with my body. I feel my intention and desire to be in partnership with her, a symbiotic relationship, being mutual servants to each other. I thank her and let her know we will walk again. "Everyday” She says. “I’m not finished yet!”"

Self Reflection:  What would my body say to me?  Am I willing to walk with her and listen?

June Closing Moon Speaking: Truth and Wisdom are Twin Storytellers

Having compassion and understanding for what has gone before us is necessary to pass on the Wisdom gleaned from our experiences.  Our own Truth and Wisdom grow from sitting in the circle of storytellers.
If our story is to serve humankind and the universe, it must be shared. It takes courage to speak a new story or to share a dream.
Seeing, hearing and speaking Truth with humility, acceptance and a joyful, open heart prepares us to Love all Things and Serve Truth.

Self Reflection: Wisdom support my willingness to Speak Truth with humility and to Love the Truth revealed to me. On this closing moon I sit in reflection and contemplation on this closing moon for June

June Moon Mandalas:Truth Words

Word Play Mandala #1. Lisa Kay, 4 " x 4",  pencil/pen, paper 

Word Play Mandala #2, Lisa Kay, 4 " x 4",  pencil/pen, paper  

Think, listen, hear word(s):
Speak - seek love, laughter, (k)now faith
Courage becomes truth.

Self Reflection: My courage to think, listen and hear my words has brought me courage to Speak Truth.

Speaking Without Attachment to Outcome

This cycle of Speak Truth has invited us to explore our way of being with our words, our knowledge, motives and integrity.
With this awareness, with this wisdom, we can speak without attachment to outcome.
This cycle we learn that if we speak the Truth there is no need to be attached to the outcome of your words.
If they are Truth, the Truth will take care of the outcome, and all will be fundamentally well.

Self Reflection: I reflect on how I have learned to be with my words, my knowledge, my motives and my integrity.

Reflecting On What Truth Remains to Be Shared.

This cycle of Speak Truth is coming full circle.
It's time for reflection as our journey for this cycle comes to a close:
What might yet call to be spoken?
Are there places I have been called to speak,
but have held back  from fear or uncertainty?

Self Reflection: What stories do I still need to share-
       for my own benefit?
       to aid and support others?

Be Brave and Speak the Truth of your Self

Be brave and speak the truth of your Self.
Your longings point to the truth of your being--
who you are in your essence.
Speak the truth about these longings.
Don't speak to the naysayers who will dissuade you,
and encourage you to stay in a diminished state of being.
Speak of your longing to those who will encourage you
to go forward on your journey of becoming.
Speak-up! Speak!

Self Reflection:  I acknowledge my brave Spirit and I have faith I am able and willing to speak my truth

The Integrity and Humility of Speaking a Hard Truth

Carolyn shares:  There are so many times when it would be easier to not speak a truth.
It's easy to keep silent when someone else is blamed for something I did.  I remember the time my grandson was yelled at by his father for moving the dog's water bowl. The little guy began to cry. I would have liked to slink into a corner myself and be quiet about my deed, not wanting the wrath of my stepson, who likes things orderly, have one more thing I did that was aggravated him. But I acknowledge my deed.

It's easy to tell a different story when we forget, are absent minded and we have inconvenienced or disappointed another person. There was the time I spaced on my agreement to have breakfast with a friend. I didn't forget. It was on my calendar, but when I checked, I couldn't connect the name to any event.  When my friend finally called, I really didn't want her to know why I was not there.  I thought about not picking up the phone. But I answered and spoke the truth of my error.

How about going for a medical check-up and are asked to fill out the 'patient information form'. The part where they ask how much alcohol or coffee is consumed and how often. I have fudged on that one. I never want to admit I smoked in college, so I have left that off, too. Not telling the truth about these things harmed me, no one else.

I have a lot of stories like this. I imagine most readers do. My first couple vignettes may make me look somewhat saintly in my misspoken words, but I am hardly so!  There are many times I did not speak my truth, and the lie or silence was perceived as the truth for a long time. Some of my brushes with keeping a lie as the face of truth were much worse, had bigger consequences than others.  I won't tell those stories here! Since I have been on this path of Truth, I have spoken up about most of them to the people they need spoken to. In doing so I have suffered the loss of some relationships.  Thankfully, most of the time, my amends were received with appreciation for my willingness to set things right.

I would like to be impeccable with my words.  It's a process, I am definitely not perfect.  Yet, I have committed to living the Cycles of Truth as part of my path. Now, I  notice times when I am going to say something and the words stick in my throat. Often when I check myself, I'm getting some 'guidance' on speaking truth.

Self Reflection: Not Speaking Truth harms me the most. What are the areas of my life where I am inclined to hedge my truth?

A Short Guide for Speaking Truth

A Short Guide for Speaking Truth:

Speak with clarity, not manipulation.

Speak with Love, not indifference.

Speak with humility, not pride.

Speak with courage, not fear.

Speak with an open heart, not a closed mind.

Speak with discernment, not judgment.

Speak with appreciation for the gifts and talents given, not with greed or envy.

Speak from a place of knowing, not a place of thinking.

Speak in this way and you will speak a new story, a new Truth.

Self Reflection: I speak with clarity, not manipulation.

I speak with Love, not indifference.

I speak with humility, not pride.

I speak with courage, not fear.

I speak with an open heart, not a closed mind.

I speak with discernment, not judgment.

I speak with appreciation for the gifts and talents given, not with greed or envy.

I speak from a place of knowing, not a place of thinking.
I speak my true self.

Thomas Merton on Speaking Truth

The waning phase of the moon cycle is a metaphor for shedding and letting go of our burdens, fears, and battered beliefs. It is also symbolic of emptying ourselves out into the world, a visual nudge of encouragement to give of our gifts and talents in service to the world and to our own life.

"To find the courage to Speak the Truth, it is very good, almost essential, to have at one's side others with similar determination, and one can then be guided by a common inspiration and a communion in truth." (a letter to Ernesto Cardenal in 1967 from Thomas Merton.)


Self Reflection: Who are those in my life with who help me find courage to Speak Truth?

Seeds of Truth Sprout and and Grow to Bear Fruit!

The seeds of Truth

planted by Creator

take root and flower

through my

Voice

Seeds of truth are planted within our hearts and soul.

These are the seeds of deep longing for our life to be an expression of Creator's vision, a vision for our being that was present when we were incarnated into our human body.

Throughout the course of their life most human beings lose conscious awareness of these seeds, yet the Truth of who we are remains and though dormant, waits to germinate.

Equally true is that throughout the course of life, we have experiences which nudge us to sprout the seeds of who we are born to be.  

As these seeds of truth sprout and begin to flower, our life becomes a multifaceted expression of Divine Truth manifested through our lives.

Self Reflection: My life itself gives Voice to Truth. 

When I don't know what to say...

When I don't know what to say, or if what I would say is going to cause harm to another being or myself, then I don't say anything. I wait.
I ask for guidance and I ask the speaker within to speak a positive truth.

If there is no positive truth, I wait more. I don't say anything, I keep seeking the positive truth.

What is a positive truth?
A positive truth is a truth which causes no harm to others, myself, animals and other creatures or the environment in which I live.
A positive truth does not mean it is an easy truth.  It does mean that the words shared are not about power-over, shaming, sarcasm, ridicule or manipulation of any kind.
To practice speaking in this way requires discipline and practice.
Am I willing to be this kind of speaker?

Self Reflection: Do I speak positive truth, causing no harm to myself or others? Am I willing to be silent if I cannot speak in this way? 

What Part of Me is Speaking and is it Really Truth, Part 2

What is it we want others to hear when we speak?

How do we know that what we are saying is what we really want others to hear?

What part of our personality/our person is doing the speaking?
Once we come to recognize our different voices of our personality, or to have some awareness of their history, we will have a more conscious choice about which voice speaks.

What speaking truth means in each of our lives will be different from person to person for we all have our own life experiences which determine our perceptions and beliefs.  In difficult conversations, such as the example shared in yesterday's post having awareness of our own personal histories and biases is a giant step toward speaking a truth that causes no harm and honors the other's truth, even when that truth is at odds with ours.

How do we do this?
First,  connect with the way in which we respect and have gratitude for the person with whom we are speaking, or may have conflict. Gratitude or respect supports our speaking in a less defended way.
Second, offer a prayer and set an intention for the conversation.
Third, review your motives. Take time to release pent-up anxiety, fears, demands through talking with an unbiased friend.
Next, acknowledge  your triggers and biases; align with intention for an outcome with the highest good for all-yourself included.
Finally, look for the lesson this opportunity offers for you too become a being whose life is in Truth.

Self Reflection: It is my choice to reflect upon, ignore or twist life's lessons.

What Part of Me is Speaking and is it Really Truth

What is it we want others to hear when we speak?

How do we know that what we are saying is what we really want others to hear?

What part of our personality/our person is doing the speaking?

For example: We need to have a conversation with our partner about being short of the money needed to meet all our financial obligations this month.  That in itself can be challenging!  Even more a challenge is which part of ‘me’ is going to be the speaker for our conversation?  The 6 year old who was told asking for a bicycle was being selfish because the family needed the money for more important things?  The 12 year old who continually heard her parents arguing about finances? The hopeful young bride who thought her new husband a knight in shining armor?  The exhausted, overworked, self-reliant 33 year old who would just like to be taken care of for a change? Or the woman who acknowledges she has played a part in the debacle and is willing to play her part in correcting the problem?  Each one of these parts of ‘me’ have their story that has ‘truth’. Yet, each voice is different from the voice of my other parts.  Each voice, whether conscious or not, will express a different need in the conversation about money.

We all have different parts of ourselves.  We are complex beings. If we listen to these parts speak, we will see that each has a different quality, tone and pitch. (e.g. whiny, demanding, scared, confident…) Once we come to recognize our different voices, to have some awareness of their history, we will have a more conscious choice about who speaks.  With that consciousness we can be more secure in knowing we are speaking the truth needed for our conversation with another (or with ourselves).

Self Reflection: Today I choose to speak with the voice that would choose Truth over ease. 

The Meaning of Speak Truth in My Life

In the waxing moon phase of this cycle we explored the inquiry, "What is the meaning of Speak Truth?"
Then, at Full Moon, we let the fullness of her light shine on what will not serve us in our desire to speak truth, as well as what truths we are now called to embody by our presence, actions and words.
Now, in the waning phase of the cycle we are asked, "What is the meaning of Speak Truth for My Life?"  Speaking truth becomes very personal; the directions I receive for speaking truth may be different than how you are directed to speak truth. Your truth is not less truth than my truth. My truth not less truth than yours. There are many points of view and many stories, sharing many elements of one whole true story.  We each have a unique role to share. The common thread in these unique experiences and expressions of  truth for each person is the Truth shared by the Great Mystery.

Self Reflection: How different would my stories be, if I spoke them only from a place of connection to the Great Mystery?

The Gift and Grace of Speaking Truth

In anticipation of Speaking Truth in the world which is your life:
Just be still.
Still your body.
Still your mind.
Still all swirling emotions-feelings.
Still your spirit.

Being still with the body, hear her speak truth of her needs and her knowing.
Being still with the mind, discern ego speak from wise guidance.
Being still with emotions and feelings, their soft underbelly speaks a deeper truth of your heart.
Being still with spirit and Truth wells up from within, waiting to be spoken,

Self Reflection:  In preparation for June's full moon, I make time for my Self to be still.

Preparations to Speak Truth-Outloud

Full Moon approaches.
She is calling us to be brightly visible.
She is calling us to speak the truth of our being.
Not just to be seen, but also willing to have our voices heard.
To share our stories with others.
These are the things which prepare us to speak truth:
We are willing to learn truth--to learn from the heart.
-to listen with the ears of the heart
-to see with the eyes of the heart
-to speak with the voice of the heart
We are willing to honor truth:
-the truth of our histories, memories and beliefs;
-the truth of our families, our culture, the world.
We are willing to know and accept what is truth,
particularly the truth of who we are.
We acknowledge and accept
-our strengths
-our weaknesses
-our gifts, skills, and talents
-our challenges.
We are ready now to share what we have learned, with humility and with truth.
Grace will accompany us as we prepare to step into the light,
to speak to the world truthfully, who we are!

Self Reflection:  I am prepared to listen, hear, see and speak my truth--out loud.

Waiting to Speak Truth

There are days when what to say eludes me.
The urge to speak is strong, yet no words come.
I look around for hints or clues: checking out this book or that;
I  listen for what others have to say to inspire me or point me in a right direction.
I'm looking for clues to say what is, as of yet,still unknown to me.
So, I sit and wait.
My body becomes increasingly antsy.
My emotions are rattled; crabby, resentful.
My mind races, doubts, and eventually, worn down by her antics, shuts down.
Can I keep from getting desperate, and speak what would be contrived? not true?

The story is there, just not revealed, not at this time.
I can only look within and patiently wait,
Compassionately wait.
If I judge myself for not knowing,
If I try too hard to make the story come,
I may not hear the still small voice when she begins to whisper.
Not having words to speak, when I need to speak, is agony.

Self Reflection:  There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

Nurturing the Desire to Speak Truth

I want to speak the truth about my life.
The real truth!
The Truth of my gifts, skills and talents
The Truth of my longings and dreams
The Truth of how my life experiences have formed me, so far.
I want to speak about this to others and share my journey.
Perhaps what I share will benefit their life.
Or maybe, in sharing I will see my own story more clearly and it will benefit me

In sharing, I will likely begin to see parts of the story that no longer ring true.
Could I be brave enough to drop them from my script?
And let a new cleaner, clearer, story emerge-more True?

My desire to Speak Truth requires gathering:
Gathering my energy
Gathering my thoughts
Gathering my experiences
Gathering ideas, inspirations
Gathering my gifts, skills and talents
Gathering my dreams and hope
Gathering discipline and willingness
Gathering together with those with whom I would share
and risk being seen in my unfinished truth

I gather up, too, all those parts and pieces
That no longer serve me.
That are distortions of Truth.
That keep my Truth from being seen.
Perhaps woodpecker will come and clear them off, just as he did for Pine, the Tree of Peace.

Woodpecker, as totem, pecks away at deception until truth is revealed.

Self Reflection:  If woodpecker happens into my life, I can know I am being supported in letting go of any self-deception--if I am willing.