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Let fear fall beautiful one

It is only a body inside you

Losing its shadowy dominion

Over your freedom

In this moment

As the entire universe holds you

With a love beyond

Your deepest imagination

That

Should you realize it

Your heart would cry an ocean

Of joy

Lift you above

The passing darkness

To be (t)here

Where there is no lack

No pain

No fear

No death

 

Lift your heart

And know it to be true

We are made for these times

We are here

Feeling the glorious height

and devastating depth

Of our own Beingness

  

The original photostock was a donated image by Rebecca Zama on "Unsplash" and these words came pouring out while I was staring at it. I love to swim and simply float and oftentimes meditating feels just like this, a kind of stillness and peace no matter what is going on around me.

 

It's how I navigated 6 years of intense medical treatments my late husband went through and all other kinds of storms We need to give attention to what is happening externally of course, but we also have the opportunity to dive into a deeper part of ourselves connected to such wonder and possibility Had I let fear rule my world, I would not have made love, travelled, sang, laughed and nurtured wonderful friendships or even started my Flickr site Let this be our focus to get us through this time We each have such glorious gifts to share. I added rendering effects to add resonance to how we and our feelings move as waves in a great Ocean.

 

If you have a practice already, keep going and if you don't, I recommend "Ancient Secrets of Success - The Four Truths Revealed", written by my Teacher and Mentor of 20 years., Tulshi Sen. My life and that of my husband went into a whole new gear when we let go of fearing what we would lose and embrace what is here available right now. My Flickr site is my testimony to this creative journey of profound self-discovery one courageous step at a time.

 

Keep singing and dancing and keeping good mental hygiene.

 

Love to you all.

  

How many times you teach me to overcome my challenges

You show me the way of Love:

The heart can feel such depths

The mind can conceive such heights

Without navigational training in this Immensity

Our own aimlessness fosters anxiety

We turn against ourselves

Afraid to dream

Afraid to feel

Terrified of reaching anywhere

But when we master the Self spiritually

When we understand the Self materially

We give treasures of the past their place

We create an ideal mold for the future

Poised and balanced in each breath

Euphoric anticipation expands

Every Where

Every When

With calm assured expectancy

 

© Ganga Fondan, 2012

 

*Again the Visitor came into my world. Such magnificent Love I cannot describe. My entire existence is made richer with His presence. This digital art is a fusion piece of two elephants, one in my Vision and the other, Ganesh, who with the head of an elephant became an immortal god with a human body. This rich legend that helps me to understand my own growth also includes a mouse which represents the undisciplined mind flitting about from place to place eating everything up. Ganesh rides this mouse with ease. He is called the "Remover of Obstacles" and many people keep images of Him.

 

Artsongs Online Blog

If it was easy it wouldn't go anywhere worth traveling.

photo credit: Joe Best

© 2010 Sarah Brooks. All Rights Reserved.

B l a c k M a g i c

 

The Third Eye, or Ajna Chakra, is really quite interesting to do some research on. Thank you, My Face is My Canvas!

 

Random Fact: Charlie is kicking butt at Wii Baseball right now!

Standing amidst history, he embodies the unbroken chain of leadership, discipline, and unwavering commitment. The room whispers of battles fought, decisions that shaped futures, and a legacy etched in both valor and silence. Every medal, every line on his face speaks of an era where power was earned and respect commanded. This is not merely a man—it is the guardian of tradition, the symbol of enduring authority.

© 2010 Sarah Brooks. All Rights Reserved.

B l a c k M a g i c

 

One of three outtakes for the day. I really liked what this preset did for the shot. It was a combination of Cyanotype and Direct Positive (in Lightroom 2). I really like the colors that it brought out.

 

Random Fact: My students had "Naptime" today since they reached a goal. They chose to do it. Too bad I couldn't close my eyes myself, because I was tired.

I went to a Full Moon Circle last weekend - wasn't sure it was my thing to be honest, but I loved it and it has got me really inspired (cue trip to library to take out massive piles of books!). We all picked a self mastery card, and this was mine - Empowerment. Not at all unsuitable for this stage of my life!

In the quiet shadow of discipline, where every detail is meticulously aligned, true command emerges—not from loud declarations, but from the composed gravity of presence. Here, an officer stands as a symbol of order and control, his bearing shaped by years of unwavering adherence to structure and tradition. The gloves set aside, the posture unyielding, his authority does not require words. It is understood, felt, and respected. A figure of stoicism, rooted in the timeless codes of duty and self-mastery.

© 2010 Sarah Brooks. All Rights Reserved.

B l a c k M a g i c

 

The last of the outtakes for the night.

 

Random Fact: My mind's been in the gutter all evening.

A traditional playing card deck can be translated into traditional tarot meaning. The 8 of diamond translates to the 8 of pentacles. The 8 of pentacles speaks of apprenticeship and/or mastery. Seeing this card neglected and abandoned symbolizes the frustration one can have on the journey of mastering your skills.

I am an instrument of Immortality

Unraveling in time and space

Innocence and courage rise

Smashing one paradigm after another

The world leaps in colors through Being

In the song of life

In romantic artistry

In unity of every thing

Over the edge of a great abyss

Imagination and Intention dance

Revealing everything outwardly

In that very expression itself

Truth hits the mark

In that culmination of Unity

All masks fall away

 

© Ganga Fondan, 2011

 

(*Contemplation on 1 Corinthians 13, verse 11)

 

"We never know how high we are until we're called to rise and then if we are true to plan , our statures touch the skies." - Emily Dickinson

 

Executive Director of the UCLA Career Center, Author, Professor, Career and Life Mastery Consultant, Global Career Mastermind Leader, Career and Life Vision Thought Leader, Career Strategist, Philanthropist, Former Executive Director of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University, Former Professional Tennis Player, and Former Athlete Ambassador to the United States; Alumnus ‘03, Public Health

"SUCCESS" as defined by The Spirit.

 

Q. How would you define "Success" for you?

 

My favourite definition involves "fruit" ie. results, outcomes.

 

A Life filled with these nine aspects would create a person who would be rather amazing to associate with, don't you agree?

🍇 #Love

🍇 #Joy

🍇 #Peace

🍇 #Patience

🍇 #Kindness

🍇 #Goodness

🍇 #Faith

🍇 #Gentleness

🍇 #SelfControl

 

The last one is a bit of a turn-off for me when defined as "self-control" - because it sounds restrictive and a bit boring. However, the Greek is 'egkratia' - "Mastery Within" - which is just about as exciting as it gets!

 

The Wheel I've created is to help you think about your own SPIRIT LEVEL in each of these segments. Imagine the levels like the Dan concept in Martial Arts. You may be a 7th Dan Master in Joy but only a 3rd Dan Master in Inner Mastery (self-control).

 

Q. Which one could you focus on today?

 

"Balance IS Power"

 

Background image credit goes to Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Discipline is the foundation on which true power is built.” In the heart of nature’s silence, where strength is measured not by brute force but by unwavering control, discipline becomes the core of true mastery. It is through rigorous self-command that authority is forged—steady, deliberate, and immovable. In every stance, every glance, lies a testament to the power cultivated through unyielding discipline.

Authority is not born from a need to dominate others—it is cultivated through the mastery of self. Standing against the vast expanse of nature, this officer embodies the essence of inner strength and discipline. The serenity of the landscape mirrors the calm resolve required to wield true authority, which comes not from external validation but from an unshakable command over one’s mind and actions.

 

As the quote reminds us: “Genuine authority starts from within. It’s not a drive to command others but the power to master oneself.” This wisdom is a testament to the timeless truth that true leadership begins with self-mastery.

 

Through discipline, reflection, and perseverance, one earns the respect to lead others—not through coercion, but through unwavering example.

If you realize that you have enough,

you are truly rich.

 

Verse 33 Tao Te Ching

 

Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)

Aperture: f/5.6

Focal Length: 5.2 mm

ISO Speed: 100

 

Executive Director of the UCLA Career Center, Author, Professor, Career and Life Mastery Consultant, Global Career Mastermind Leader, Career and Life Vision Thought Leader, Career Strategist, Philanthropist, Former Executive Director of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University, Former Professional Tennis Player, and Former Athlete Ambassador to the United States; Alumnus ‘03, Public Health

 

Determination turns obstacles into mere stepping stones.” In the face of adversity, it is not strength alone that prevails but the relentless will to advance, to press forward without falter. True power lies in the resolve to transform every barrier into a pathway, each challenge a rung on the ladder to mastery. With a gaze set firmly on the horizon, there is no obstacle too great, no path too steep.

photo credit: Joe Best

photo credit: Joe Best

TEDxColumbiaUniversity: March 27, 2021, Lincoln Center

photo credit: Joe Best

Executive Director of the UCLA Career Center, Author, Professor, Career and Life Mastery Consultant, Global Career Mastermind Leader, Career and Life Vision Thought Leader, Career Strategist, Philanthropist, Former Executive Director of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University, Former Professional Tennis Player, and Former Athlete Ambassador to the United States; Alumnus ‘03, Public Health

 

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