At heart, I am a country mouse

At heart I am a country mouse. Growing up in rural Carbondale, Colorado, we dug in, rolled in, and even ate mud. Our playground was anything outside of our home, and consisted primarily of rocks, plants, animals, the creek, and good ol' dirt. This upbringing was so simple and at the same time deeply profound. The longer I live in the city, the further I feel myself drift from the earth. This became so apparent when we visited a bio dynamic farm north of Boulder. That day, we dug up 2000 plus carrots. What an incredible experience it was to harvest our food directly from the soil. Everyone of us can benefit from encouraging earthen qualities within ourselves. Feeling grounded, stable, connected and calm are all possible when we establish an intimate relationship to our beautiful blue planet. It is only then, in our rooted like carrots state, that we can be as expansive and light as the sky in our dreams, visions, and spirits. To me, our choices are clear, they are green, with the mother of us all in mind and heart. Without her, there are no choices to be made anyway...Desi Springer

Collective Container

My favorite and most popular dharma offering last week was about collective, collaborative energy and how this will transform each one of us. We shared how often our practice is consumed with notions about our outfit, body image, still tight hamstrings after 12,000 years, my health, my happiness, my stress levels, etc. I asked for each practitioner to donate his or her energy to the collective container, in this case the practice that day, to also receive from the container easily and readily. I used images relating to group energy and prana that we generate together. I asked about the vibration quality when you feel supported and part versus every man/woman for himself/herself paradigm, alone in our struggles and triumphs. If you notice someone around you struggling, offer your energy to him or her. If you are struggling, take what you need from the group in an expression of gratitude for their collective support. The practice became a demonstration of viable community; some came full of vigor and offering, others came vulnerable and unable to practice postures, but together our energy was balanced in nature, giving and receiving equally so that we all witnessed our part in the great rhythm of life. 

Micah Springer