January 27th, 2012
Oh, I sit and inhale regarding the magic that has unfolded for me this week. The way I saw my life , the perceptions, the story lines all re: organized themselves. Imagine if the puzzle pieces you thought that were in place suddenly took a rotational component of 3 degrees and fit better than you imagined. The picture that was created was more alive and vibrant.
This week has transformed my thinking at 2 occasions. Being intense, and exhausted in conversation led to a new reality of buried grief and labeling called shunning and punishment. I was relieved to reconnect with the 2 choices of life: Joy and love, or the 2nd : pain and struggle supported by the would a, could a, should a, philosophy. It was clear to me that the Joy Factor won.
There has been alot of letting go on the physical plane. I saw my surgeon and an alternative surgical date that was offered. I could be in O.R. in 4 days or a month and a half. Re organizing appointments and rescheduling agendas took a back seat or became non existent in my new reality.
The bottom fell out of what I called my life and I was challenged to embrace a new way of seeing myself. Honoring and claiming all of who I have been and am in this life. The “Superstar” . The all encompassing big heart driven by the desire to do divinely good steers my path. We are all “Superstars”!
My dreaming different is to be awoken by a ” kiss” rather than the traditional vomit and nauseousness that surgery lends me. Sharing this with the surgical team will be the brave piece.
I will soar with the eagles and come back in a newer way to celebrate life with a divinity unimaginable.
Go big or go Home.
Blessings
In Reflection: How strong do you hold onto the image of yourself? If we are that malleable could it be that we would be more expansive?
Loving you always,
Karen
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Buddhist, Canmore, Compassion, Health, Inspiration, Journey, Lama Karma Gyrme Rinpoche, Lifefest, Love, Meditation, World, consciousness, creativity, death, dream, playful, surgery, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
December 15th, 2011
Banff Springs christmas
At every turn this time of year there are the distractions engaging us into busy-ness.
Tensions and stress builds as we follow the crowd to the Christmas party, shopping and hurrying aimlessly. We forget to ask ourselves what makes our heart sing? We get grumpy because we are avoiding our inate need to be balanced.
Slow down… be mindful
Mindfulness is a presence we can cultivate as we walk daily through our lives. Being aware of the beauty and layers of goodness that we experience in food, wine, and in those whom we meet adds to the sensations of life. We water the positive seeds in our garden to reap the benefits of its harvest. It is a choice. Therein it is mindful.
Create space and gift yourself with the quiet of your inner celebration. Love the life you are living and with gratitude feel in your heart the beating, the breath and “I love You.”
It is said that the Buddha creates space within and around him therefore he is free. The space element lives in the heart. The expansiveness of energy in the clear light mind.
In Reflection: Have you sat in the evening, turned the lights on the tree and in that solace embraced the sparkles of the lights on your tree, the reflection off the balls dancing in the glow of the darkness. Breath in and smell the aroma of the tree. Give thanks for the gifts of having this tree grace your home. Light a candle. Enjoy a glass of wine or cup of tea. Experience the grape, the soil, the country which the wine is from, the workers who harvested it, the wood it lived in as it aged.
Blessings for a Joy filled Christmas Season
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Brendan Glass, Buddhist, Calm Mind, Canmore, Canmore Wine Merchants, Christmas Season, Compassion, Health, Holiday, Inspiration, Lama Karma Gyrme Rinpoche, Love, Meditation, consciousness, creativity, food, perception, playful, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
November 27th, 2011
At this time we are arriving at the holiday season. Let us experience the power of choice, to gift ourselves with the art of cultivating a calm mind.
It is the essence of profound health amidst the adversity the world consciousness is holding right now. This allows us to see with clarity and open our hearts to the bigger picture of holding love and compassion on a daily basis for the highest good of all sentient beings. This of course being the mother Earth where we live.
Placing your hands in front of you with the Earth between them you can daily send the colors of the rainbow , the highest understanding of light in the universe to bath and support this sentient being. As you do that, trust you are sending the same love and compassion to all who inhabit the Earth.
When we are feeling helpless or hopeless in these times my advice to you to stay in your strength by this simple effective way of directing your love daily. You will start to experience the gratitude and love the Mother Earth shows you for such thoughtfulness.
Easy P easy 4 step Breathing: Breath in, feel the rise and fall of the simple breath. Connect with the beating of your heart adding the image of the expansive nurturing sun radiating out in all directions, filling the spaces between your cells and extending out to all in the cosmos. The last sparkle on the compassionate sundae is the sprinkling of your inner and outer smile. Yes, with this you can move mountains and make a difference in the world. Please visit KarenBar99 my YouTube channel for extra guidance.
In Reflection: Cultivating a calm mind is like exercising any muscle that is weak it wants the daily commitment of strengthening. Multi-task by doing the 4 step breathing waiting for that train to pass, standing in a long line at Costco or the Bank. Over time it will become second nature and that inner smile will surprise you.
Blessings for a new revised holiday experience. Explore the magic and Dream it different.
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Buddhist, Calm Mind, Canmore, Christmas Season, Compassion, General, Health, Holiday, Inspiration, Journey, Lifefest, Love, Meditation, Rocky Mountains of Canada, World, consciousness, creativity, dream, explore, perception, playful, wellness, wholeness | 2 Comments »
October 7th, 2011
Roasted Acorn Squash with Oven Roasted Small Cumin Potatoes and Red pepper
Roast Acorn Squash at 350F until it falls out of skin
Cut in ½ small white baby potatoes, coat with olive oil and cumin spice then roast alongside with squash
Saute in Coconut oil one white onion, garlic, and a red pepper with organic dried basil
Sprinkle to taste with Knorr’s Vegetable Soup Mix ingredients.
Cover with spring water
Add Fresh Ground pepper
Brendan Glass paired this full flavoured soup with Urban, a Mosel Reisling from Germany,2010. High in tannins with lots of fruit for the soups cheeky coconut flavour and a kick up front.
In Reflection: Set the Intention next time you create a dinner that it comes from the heart . Trust what you are guided to put together. You maybe brilliantly surprised.
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Brendan Glass, Canmore, Canmore Wine Merchants, Harvest, Health, Inspiration, Soup and Wine series, creativity, food, playful, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
October 1st, 2011
Acorn Squash and Sweated Leeks meets Austria
Roasted acorn Squash with Sweated Leeks paired meets an Austrian Dry wine.
Acorn Squash is cut in half face down in water baked in the oven at 350 F until it falls out of its skin, approximately an hour.
Leeks sweated on the front burner for an hour at very low heat with coconut oil and Croatian sea salt
Combine leeks and squash adding fresh dill.
Sprinkle with Knorr vegetable soup mix to taste covering with spring water
In serving please top with freshly grown sage leaves. A warmed soup will absorb a specific draw of the sage herb as you eat it.
Brendan Glass owner of Canmore Wine Merchants paired this richly flavored soup with a Langenlois, Austrian wine. Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner 2010. In the 12th century Cistercian monks laid the founding stone for the tradition and quality based concept of the Schloss Gobelsburg Winery. This wine will flavour a white pepper taste to the soup.
Please check out last years recipes and pairings on the September and October 2010 calender.
In Reflection: The joy this gave me in its creation was equal in the consuming. Do we take the time to allow ourselves this creative experience?
Posted in Alberta, Brendan Glass, Canmore, Canmore Wine Merchants, Harvest, Health, Inspiration, Rocky Mountains of Canada, Soup and Wine series, Uncategorized, creativity, food, recipes, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
October 1st, 2011
Barbequed Beet and Pear soup topped with organic sour cream paired with a French Gamay red wine.
I had a full bag of tubular beets from our seasonal farmers market sitting in my fridge. I figured I should go into my creative drive to make use of them before they spoiled. I envisioned barbequing them with coconut oil and Croatian sea salt in a foil wrap.
When they softened I took them off the barbeque to cool.
I sliced them up after cooling and added 2 pears that was lingering about in a soup pot.
In the final stages tasting it I felt some organic cinnamon would round off the flavors.
I added Knorr’ vegetable soup mix to taste and covered with spring water.
Serving it topped with organic sour cream and an eatable Nasturtium flower was divine.
Bendan Glass owner of Canmore Wine Merchants paired this soup with a lovely French Gamay Grape. Jean-Paul Brun, Terres Dorees, Cote de Brouilly 2009. He felt that this wine was low in tannins and would create the space to allow the soup its flavors without being too strong. The art in pairing is the marriage of the grape with the dish so it is truly supportive. My palate and my daughters couldn’t get enough of this combination.
Please check out last years recipes and pairings in the September and October 2010 Blog Calender
In Reflection: How often do we allow ourselves to create in the kitchen following our innate wisdom? Go with the Flow…
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Brendan Glass, Canmore, Canmore Wine Merchants, Harvest, Health, Inspiration, Journey, Rocky Mountains of Canada, Soup and Wine series, Uncategorized, beets, creativity, food, playful, recipes, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
September 21st, 2011
Celebration
Is it true that at one time in our evolution we celebrated each moment lived?
A perspective on life that held it precious and unique.
Drinking wine under a tree at dusk with a loved one sharing my dreams and aspirations.
Holding in my heart the gentleness of soul and flying with the eagle when he presented itself to me in nature.
Rescuing the cat bound by a tether in the neighbors yard knowing she was allowed to live an extra day without being bait for the coyotes.
Experiencing the death of a colleague or friend to remind me that the decisions of the heart are my top priority.
That a day off was about self love and nurturing to refuel for the busy few days ahead.
Feeling celebrated as a spiritual being in this physical experience is so necessary in this time of global chaos. When we do it for ourselves in the Buddhist tradition hold the energy for all sentient beings to step into this joyful mindfulness.
As I sit on my balcony over looking the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Eagle flies overhead and the sun is radiant with warmth in these Fall moments. Even though my life has had challenges, I can not help but fall in love with the beauty that is around me. This is invaluable to me.
In Reflection: Do you set the intention of “serving others for the highest good of all” at the beginning of your day? Lama Karma Gyrme Rinpoche, teacher of mine, advised me of this as it directs and focuses the +energy created towards global healing. Take the 30 seconds and set the daily intention if it feels right to you. Above all, find the perspective to celebrate each moment and witness the magic that has for you.
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Buddhist, Canmore, Harvest, Health, Inspiration, Journey, Lama Karma Gyrme Rinpoche, Rocky Mountains of Canada, creativity, death, perception, playful, surgery, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
August 28th, 2011
Jack Layton has definitely inspired health in the human spirit.
I may not have met you personally but my heart went out to your shining presence in the last campaign. When I heard of your physical adversities ie. your hip replacement I felt a connection. Your cultivated optimism, courage to stand in your powerful center when It was not cool on topics of human justice and equality, and the joy in your effervescent heart moved me.
When people talk I feel the importance to share that you brought the word “Love” into parliament. Yeah!!! The joy that fills my heart at hearing its dulcet tones can not be put into words. Yes, you are still a beacon of light and I know will continue to hold that energy on the other side of the veil.
Your personal “green” home you shared with Rick Mercer in downtown Toronto is a testimony to the miracle you can be off the grid amidst a chaotic city. It does not have to happen in Nelson, BC or some remote acreage of land. It is attainable right where one lives or calls home. Drilling down into the earth 500 ft. to use the thermal energy, harnessing the sun and wind is only a start. A learning and inspiration for me.
Placing utmost importance in our youth be it the children and our grandchildren: they are precious and we need to give them voice. Be their advocates for change and justice is brilliant. I use the tense “is” because I will hold in the steadfast centre of my heart, my shared belief in serving our humanity for the highest good.
With this I raise a glass to you,
Blessings
Karen
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, Canmore, Health, Inspiration, Jack Layton, Journey, creativity, death, hospital, perception, playful, surgery, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
August 18th, 2011
In the wake of my last surgery I am still in a solitary place within. I wish I could say it has been easy being here but I am forced to do some deep sea diving into my closet of emotional dust bunnies and clear out layers of belief systems and thoughts that I adopted as my truth which do not serve me any longer.
How do I identify them as causing me to suffer? My mind plays tricks. My ego tells me it doesn’t matter. They have no power. When I am in the place of my loving heart and focus what is truth I realize that this chaos of thought has nothing to do with love. This mental pollution causes me unrest and makes me feel sick. My bottom line : Whatever isn’t in alignment with love, I acknowledge it no longer serves me and will not invest my energy in that direction. Engaging in the negative I encourage the drama. A courageous choice we all have.
Some familiar thoughts : doubting my worthiness, self judgment, and what I have seen is the concept of self-flogging. When I watch a religious period film there is always a scene of a someone unveiling ones back to the scars or open sores. Yes, I cringe and think briefly how could anyone buy into that self inflicted torture? We have evolved where we don’t do it physically but psychologically/emotionally it is still a huge epidemic.
How do I get out of this old pattern? What Can I do? First choose differently. Acknowledge that you want to rid yourself of the old thought patterns. Make a promise to take the time stop in the moment of having those thoughts. Catch yourself and rephrase it to a positive statement. Be honest with yourself as to what/whom triggers or upsets you. It usually is an event that has hurt you in the past. Revisit the moment and challenge yourself to see it differently with loving eyes for all those involved. Cultivate a new perspective.
Plant the seeds of Self love and compassion in your gentle heart. Grace yourself with this tenderness.
Once it is strong within you allow it to reach out like the rays of the sun to others around you, your environment and your community. Transforming your world. A thought at a time. With every breath breathe in the beauty, the love that you are. If you have to see it in nature first, so be it.
The only path is the heart and the beauty is, it is within you. As I strengthen my reserve to serve from the heart the creative energy of life fills me up and all I see is the beauty in all I come in contact with. My environment, those who visit me, and even the girl in the bagel shop who offered me a ride into town. It is reflected and drawn to me as like energies attract.
In a world of radical change it does demand daily diligence and devotion to oneself to reach this place of inner peace.
Be strong in your loving heart and radiate,
Karen
Posted in Alberta, Beauty, General, Health, Inspiration, Journey, Uncategorized, creativity, hospital, perception, playful, surgery, wellness | No Comments »
August 9th, 2011
Perception is truly an art form. To be able to look at the same problem from another angle is to gain another freedom. See it as a form of liberation. A new insight. The Buddhist practice shows me how to train the mind to see differently and alleviate the negative thought process by embracing the positive in all moments of our lives. In that simplicity is the mastery I hope to attain. Sans thoughts, sans attachments, sans desires.
But…..we are living in a material world, as Madonna put it. Rent is an issue, bills, raising a 17 year old daughter … I could escape the world and live as a nun with my begging bowl but that is not my option. We all have choice. I have a child, I live in Canada, and I am self employed. Let us work with that.
What I can do is think differently. – Training my mind to embrace a more universal understanding as to why events occur and the challenge that they hold for learning amongst us as a human consciousness. -Celebrate every moment, be in joy, and see the divine in all of those whom I meet. -Embrace life as the journey and my heart as my guide. -Make sure my energy reserves are fueled with “Love”. I feel uplifted and renewed when I do that.
So, after 50 years of surgery I feel it is the end of an era. Though each one had its profound lessons/challenges…I am done. I can experience life differently.
Love and Blessings,
Karen
In Reflection: How do we in our lives create our lessons? Can we embrace seeing differently so we can experience the freedom as spiritual beings in this physical walk?
Posted in Buddhist, Canmore, General, Inspiration, Journey, Rocky Mountains of Canada, Uncategorized, hospital, perception, playful, surgery, wellness, wholeness | No Comments »
