Rachel Miller

You may be wondering how it's possible to write a blog entry about a Rachel Miller. 122 million results show up when asking google to find information on Rachel Miller. The United States seems to be riddled with Rachel Millers. Everywhere you go, in many religious communities you enter, you may find yourself meeting a Rachel Miller. 

Several weeks ago I met a power house Rachel Miller that left me inspired. I have found myself silently cheering her on in my quiet moments. I've shared fragments of her song with old friends and new acquaintances. I suppose more than anything I found myself celebrating her and the people like her that fill up our world. 

I was looking for a place to stay in New York while visiting my newborn niece and family. Times are tough, public education is poor, and people are awesome. Couchsurfing (http://www.couchsurfing.org/) is always the way to go. But when I was having trouble finding a place to stay I turned to my friends. Becky, a friend from High School, was celebrating her daughter's 2nd birthday when she got my call. Without a moment's hesitation, her mother overhearing the conversation, insisted that I must meet and stay with Rachel Miller. Rachel had gone to high school with Becky's father and everyone agreed this was a match made in Heaven. For the rest of the evening every time she thought of Rachel and I meeting, she cheered. 

After spending a sleepless night on an airplane, followed by 7 hours of observing my beautiful sister writhe in labor pains I disembarked from the Metro at the West Indies stop, better known as Church Ave. Finding each other was quite simple. I was the non Caribbean person wearing a 34 pound backpack. She was the other non Caribbean person. She was expecting a tall, slender blonde, not someone who "was like her". "Short and JewSiclian looking?", I asked.

We walked to her 2 bedroom,  3rd story Brooklyn apartment and she gave me the house rules. 

1) You are home, make yourself feel it.

2) Eat anything you want. 

My body desperately wanted sleep. Conversation would have to wait. For the next 14 hours I slept and dreamt in a safe and comfortable bed in a safe and comfortable home. 

The following evening Rachel and I shared stories. Rachel is aligned with her truth and that woman speaks it. Loud yet softly, she lets her truth echo throughout the universe.

Rooted in Mennonite Heritage and in pure love, Rachel took me on a journey through religion, oppression, motherhood, marriage, divorce, friendships, starting over, sex, online dating, and  organic adventure.

The Rachel Chronicles will leave you wanting more and more.

Maddalena Guastella Cirignotta, aka Nonna.

In a faraway land of Sicily, in the small town of Scoglitti, lives a 78 year old woman. Her name, Maddalena Guastella Cirignotta. 

She is referred to by many as Zia Lina. Those slightly on the periphery call her Senora Lina. To me, she is Nonna*. 

Nonna was born on March 1, 1934 in Sicily, where she has grown a entire tribe of Sicilians, or so it seems. 

She has 4 children, but birthed 7.  She had two Giambiatistas, two Crociofisos, one Giovanna, and two Rosalbas. Imagine experiencing two still births and an infant death due to illness. The only Zia Giovanna became ill as a toddler and as a result lost her hearing. Nonna's kitchen sign language can not be matched by another.

When her beloved husband of 40 plus years died fifteen years ago, Nonna wore black. For 11 years. 

She has a remedy for most ailments. Upset stomach you say? Nonna would place a lit match in a glass cup and suction it to your upper thigh. And WA-LA! You were either left with singed upper thigh hair, or a cured stomach?

I was having a not so secret summer love affair with the boy on the canary vespa the summer of my 16th year. The 2 to 4 o'clock hours were reserved for nap/rest time in Scoglitti. All was quiet. Or was it?  Canary vespa knew to turn off the engine and walk a block to the back alley and meet me at the window. We would sit and talk and flirt for hours. One day the gig was up. And Nonna chased my Canary love down the street with a broom. 

She's been telling the same stories for at least three decades and makes a fish pasta that is divinity. 

Nonna runs the show.

She can make a grown man cry. 

She is a mother of many. She daily cooks lunch for her sister's son Jonni.   Together they mourn the loss of a sister and mother while filling voids that are left in both of their hearts.

She has two nipoti** with her name. This gives her great pride.

She is currently convinced that I will never find a husband, for sure, because I have a tattoo. What will I do now!?

She giggles when my friends call her Nonna. And manages to find an Italian, or at least a European origin to everyone she meets. I am fairly certain that she pities people that aren't Sicilian. 

Our time together is limited, but more than anything I find myself ridiculously grateful that I had her as mine.

Here's to Nonna!

* Grandmother

**Granddaughters

Anwen Rosemary

At 2:02 am on July 20, 2012 a beautiful 7 pound 13 ounce star child became a part of this beautiful world.

Her name, Anwen Rosemary Daley. She is perfect.

I snuck into the hospital to find my big sister and sweet Anwen peacefully laying together. For the next hour Lena slept while I kissed, smelled, and listened to this sweet baby. I poured welcoming love into her.

40 seconds apart

There were two things that I was hoping would happen at the start of my East Coast trip.
1) I wanted to see my sister still pregnant.
2) I selfishly wanted to be the first relative to get some alone time with our new love.

When I arrived to the airport at the beginning of my trip, slightly disheveled, I was handed one boarding pass. Not sure whether to question or accept, I confusedly smiled back at her. You see, the ticket I purchased was an 8 hour red eye journey with a stop in Chicago. The ticket I was  handed was a direct 4 hour and 40 min flight to JFK.
As though that wasn't enough, Ms. Lovely Airport Lady informed me that today happened to be my lucky day. She had no idea how lucky...or maybe I had no idea. Apparently "my" flight was the only flight to the east coast from PDX that wasn't delayed by 3 to 5 hours. "Enjoy", she says.
As I blissfully walked through security I arrived to my terminal to find a stunning man waiting for me. For real, I'm pretty sure he was waiting for me.
We spent the next hour having a deep meaningful conversation and then boarded our direct flight to NYC.

After a brief reunion with Mr. Attractive Airplane Man at the baggage claim in the morning, I called my sister, and caught a cab straight to the hospital. We were about to have a baby!

When I arrived she was in the midst of her 40th hour of labor.  Her vagina wasn't quite ready for delivery so she was sent to take a walk. This meant I was given the gift of experiencing the beauty of labor and two people's love and care for one another. My sister was in immense pain, almost unfathomable, yet there was a raw beauty to it, and an end in sight. 

Once the contractions were 45 seconds apart we returned to the hospital...

What happens when we stop to smell.

This morning I took my morning coffee, that I'm trying to wean myself off, and walked to Tim's house to gift him some garden grown arugula. In my path were two women and a gentleman in a wheelchair. One lady had lavender in her hand and a smile on her face. The other was bent over a rose. Our dear old man was preoccupied with the rosemary bushes. He was rubbing some between his fingers and bent over smelling what remained on the bush.
I greeted them and complimented their morning adventure.
I didn't get half a block before a sudden burst of laughter exploded from the trio. The sound of voices chattering and laughing echoed harmoniously for the next 2 blocks.

Be here now and enjoy the small stuff.

Root

The root:

BASE/ROOT CHAKRA, (Base of the spine, energy colour Red)
POSSIBLE PHYSICAL AREAS AFFECTED BY AN OUT OFBALANCE CHAKRA:               
 Anorexia, Obesity, Osteoarthritis, Auto-Immune Disease, Arthritis, Cancer, AIDS, Fatigue, Kidney, Spinal Column, Issues are: security and survival.

The Root Chakra is associated with the reproductive glands. It is the centre of physical energy, grounding and self-preservation. The Root Chakra governs the back, feet, hips, spine and legs.

The Root Chakra is about being physically there and feeling at home in situations. If it is open, you feel grounded, stable and secure. You don't unnecessarily distrust people. You feel present in the here and now and connected to your physical body. You feel you have sufficient territory.

If you tend to be fearful or nervous, your Root Chakra is probably under-active. You would easily feel unwelcome. If this Chakra is over-active, you may be very materialistic and greedy. You are probably obsessed with being secure and resist change.


http://www.healingfromtheheart.co.uk/69701.html


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PETALS:   This chakra rules the lowest vibration of our body and has the slowest wavelength. There are four spokes, or petals. Four is the number of the square and foundations. The square is related to being honest, or giving a "square deal, the four energies of earth--earth, air, fire, and water, and the four directions. Four walls, four legs, or four wheels represent a strong foundation.


NOTE & MANTRA:   The note for this chakra is C and the mantra is "lam" or "e" as in red. Chanting these mantras in the key of D while focusing our attention on this area of our body can enable us to more consciously access the first chakra.


COLOR:   The color for this chakra is red, which is the lowest frequency of human's visible light spectrum. Red is the color of anger and/or vitality.


RULES:   The first chakra rules our PHYSICAL energies. Also known as the root chakra, it governs our vigor, heredity, survival, security, passion, money, job, and home. This chakra aids us in our everyday survival.


SENSE:   The sense of smell is related to this chakra. Our sense of smell is our most primitive sense, and is the first sense that awakens upon our physical birth. The receptors for smell are located at the base of our brain and feeds directly into our limbic system, which is the area of memory and emotion. Therefore, aromas can immediately access emotional memories stored in our unconscious.


ASTROLOGICAL SIGN:   The astrological sign associated with the root chakra is Taurus. The symbol for Taurus is the bull. Like our root chakra, the bull is a symbol of masculine power and fertility. The bull roots in the earth with his front hooves and lowers his nostrils toward the ground to warn any who would threaten his "herd". There are many cows in the herd, but only the strongest bull will be able to preserve the genetic integrity of the group.

The first chakra is actually the basis of both our masculine and feminine energy. It represents our masculine will and male sexual organs as well as the feminine energy of the Goddess Kundalini. Therefore, a man can learn to integrate his feminine power and a woman can learn to integrate her masculine power through the clearing and opening of this chakra.


ELEMENT:   Earth is the element associated with the first chakra and the mineral kingdom is the top of that hierarchy. Crystals have been prized by humankind for eons and have also been used in esoteric healing. Since it rules our first dimensional self that is unable to reflect upon itself, perceptions from our root chakra are usually unconscious. This first dimensional portion of us can only be aware of a "hive or species consciousness".

Even though, the first chakra has many masculine qualities it is also the "seat of the Goddess Kundalini" and is therefore often associated with our relationship with our mothers and with Mother Earth. Our relationships with our mother set up our attitude toward home, security, and money. If we are cut off from our roots, we feel cut off from the earth as well.


CONSCIOUSNESS:   The first chakra rules our survival consciousness and represents our deepest unconscious and most primitive self. This chakra represents the reptilian portion of our brain, which is our brainstem, our center for life support. The brainstem and the area immediately above it are called the reptilian brain because it is possessed by all creatures from reptiles to humans. For reptiles, this area is their entire brain, but for humans it is the base, or stem, of their brain. In fact, part of this area is known as the brainstem.


PERSONAL TIMELINE:   The first chakra represents birth to two years of age. This is the time before we have completed our process of individuation and still perceive ourselves as a part of our parents. This chakra represents our struggle to come to terms with our physical life and physical body. Our Multidimensional Spirits are new to the limitations and separation of our new 3D reality, and we struggling to learn how to control our physical earth vessel. Fortunately, we naturally travel into the higher dimensions at this age and can return Home whenever we are desperately in need of comfort and understanding.




ENDOCRINE GLAND:   Each chakra feeds prana into a different endocrine gland. Just as there are seven chakras, there are seven endocrine glands. Both the chakras and the endocrine glands are located along the spinal cord. The endocrine glands manufacture hormones and supply them to the bloodstream. These glands are called "ductless" because there is not a duct to any specific part of the body. Instead, hormones are released into the bloodstream where they are carried by the blood to every organ and tissue to exert their influence on all functions of the physical body.

Each gland is internally related to the other glands and also works closely with the nervous and circulatory system. In order for the organs of the body to work efficiently, the blood must contain certain chemicals. Many of these chemicals are secreted by the endocrine glands, and this secretion is vital for the health of the entire system. Our bodies can become diseased if there are too many or too few hormones.

The endocrine gland for the first chakra is the adrenal glands. There are actually two adrenal glands located with one on top of each of the two kidneys. The adrenal glands are the body's call to battle. When adrenaline is released into the system our perceptions become clearer, we have added vigor and feel more courageous.

The release of adrenaline activates the fight/flight syndrome, which prepares us for “fight or flight.” Release of adrenaline and activation of fight/flight is brought on by real or imagined danger. Therefore, our emotions can activate a release of adrenaline when we feel extreme fear or even chronic anxiety. The first chakra is the "survival chakra," and the fight/flight syndrome is vital for the survival of every species.


NERVE PLEXUS:   The first chakra is located near the sacral plexus. The sacral plexus is the nerve center, which rules the skeleton, legs, feet, eliminatory system, male reproductive organs, and the prostate. If there is a problem with the leg or foot on the right, masculine, side of the body it can indicate issues of trust in one's will. If there is a problem with the leg or foot on the left, feminine, side then it can indicate issues with trust of one's emotional life.


CLEAR:   When the first chakra is clear we feel secure, grounded, and stable. We can use good "common sense" to balance our finances as well as our everyday responsibilities and still initiate new activities and interest. Our eliminatory system functions well, neural activity in our legs and feet is healthy, and our ability to initiate sexual encounters is comfortable and natural. Our root chakra is the home of the Sleeping Serpent, our Kundalini. When this chakra is clear and balanced the Goddess Kundalini Shakti can awaken and begin her gradual rise towards reunion with Lord Shiva.


UNCLEAR:   When the first chakra is unclear we feel insecure and fearful. We can also become absent-minded because we are ungrounded. We may also have a difficult time with our finances and day to day necessities. Whatever security we derive from material things can become threatened. There can also be problems with our home, which is our base of operations in physical life. We can become self-indulgent and self-centered and suffer from depression and grief. We may suffer from hemorrhoids, constipation, sciatica, or prostate problems.

 All of the above emotional, behavioral, and physical health issues have to do with the ability to let go. We cannot let go of our sadness, let go of material sources of comfort when finances require, or even let go of the waste material of our bodies. If we cannot release what is holding us back, we cannot move forward. Difficulties with our sciatic nerve and problems with our legs and feet display this dynamic. Prostate problems can arise from frustrated sexual or creative drives.


EARTH'S CHAKRAS:   Just as the first chakra represents our physical body, the Earth's first chakra represents Her physical body. The planetary first chakra is located at Mt. Sinai in the Middle East. Lady Gaia is allowing Her Kundalini to rise to meet her Divine Mate. It is TIME now that we hear Her call. Hence, this area of the planet is the center of great unrest.


DIMENSIONS:   The first chakra rules our first and second dimensional selves. Our first dimensional self represents the genetic coding, cells, and minerals of our bodies. It also represents our most primitive "animal self", which is represented by the fight/flight response that serves to assure the survival of the species. The root chakra also rules the male sex glands and the testosterone that they secrete. This testosterone drives the males in our society, and the male polarity of our psyche, to perpetuate and protect humanity.


SUMMARY:   The body of Mother Earth and Her consciousness, Lady Gaia, is the third dimensional planet that supports our physical body. Just as our physical body communicates with our consciousness by its state of health, disease, comfort, and discomfort, Lady Gaia communicates with us via the health of Her planet.

Our Western society has traveled so far into our third dimensional individuality that we have lost sight of the fact that we are members of a greater whole. We have forgotten that we are members of a planet that we must all share. This forgetfulness has allowed us to overlook the fact that our individual destinies are intrinsically tied to the destiny of Mother Earth who houses and feeds our physical self.

Our physical bodies and the body of Earth send messages to us via the first and second dimension. If there are disruptions and diseases on a genetic and cellular level, if the elements of earth that are around and within our bodies are disrupted, if plants and animals are becoming extinct on a daily rate, there is a message that is being sent. We can say that we have heard these messages, but if our behavior has not been altered, then we have not LISTENED.

We can deny or ignore our bodies and the body of Earth upon which we live, but it is difficult to deny or ignore our behavior. Our actions interact with our environment and with others to create a mirror that forces us to look at ourselves. We can hold on to a victim mentality, which allows us to stay in denial and lie to ourselves, but our actions do not lie. In today's world, a lot of our needs for survival are "getting what we want". We must learn to recognize that our actions dictate to us what we truly want, for that is what we find time to "do". Only when we can recognize the messages from our unconscious as they are displayed in our behavior, can we take full responsibility for our actions.

However, how much time do we have to learn to listen to the needs of our planet and Her future generations? Has our individuality, which we so dearly prize in the West, cost us our ability to see the bigger picture? When our first chakra is closed, it is difficult for prana to infuse our physical body. We are then out of touch with our own power to listen to and respond to the needs of our body and the home of our body, Earth.

Our actions then become reactions, and our ability to take responsibility for our personal power is diluted into a dismal struggle for survival. However, when the first chakra is awakened, spirit lives in matter and all of our behavior is directed by spirit, the spirit within our physical bodies and the spirit within our Earth.


http://www.multidimensions.com/Unconscious/uncon_body_1chakra.html

Chakra Exploration

I've started a 7 week chakra exploration class with 3 dear friends of mine.
The vision:
We will begin with the root chakra and work up. Each chakra gets one week's attention. We are to individually work with that chakra throughout the week. Read about it, listen to music connected to it, eat food connected to it, create art/music/etc related to it and engage a variety of senses with it. If you want to do breathwork, meditation, or yoga, then explore different poses or tools that are related to it. You have total freedom.
The hope is that at the end of each week we will connect and share highlights. I've decided to post some of my highlights here as well to share with you.
If you're totally new to this, then start where you are. Even if this is your first time reading about chakras!

Let the magic begin.