Piece of Cake
 

I don't know about you all, but the questions seem to be many right now. And they feel never-ending.

Perhaps this is just how life is, as a human.

Perhaps it's distinct to this two-years-of-living-in-the-world-of-Covid time.

Perhaps it's the continued and ongoing certain uncertainties of climate crisis.

But whatever it is, the questions feel incessant and big and heavy. 

The other evening, after a full day of work and kids and cooking and tidying, I was tired. And my mind was wary - fatigued from the questions and also from the impossibility of ever being able to answer them.

This is normally when I would declare that I was "done," and "too tired" to be part of my life -- the noise and activity and needs of my family.

But I'm really tired of that story. Finally, more tired of the story than tired, itself.

And I know, through years and years of practice, that most of my depletion comes from the never-ending efforting of my brain; most of my exhaustion comes from my not wanting things to be they way that they, in fact, are; most of my fatigue comes from the mental wrestling of trying to know what I cannot. 

And that, in order to crack through that, I needed to get HERE, NOW. I needed to wake myself up -- to bring my attention strongly to the experience of the moment.  

So I made cake.

And, apparently, this pear rosemary cake was the answer to my questions. 

The peeling and cutting, the beating and folding, the chopping and sprinkling, the smells, the checking and waiting, and the tasting… the simple, readily available experiences all right there, waiting for me, though attention, to live them.

As the making of the cake supported me in arriving here and now, I found myself open and flowing with the very life I was convinced I couldn't be part of.  

We are either living the life that we have or we are living in separation from it.

Drop the unnecessary thoughts between the necessary ones and settle in to the experience of this moment, now... This is the simple {but often not easy} practice of being here now, repeatedly - in the only true experience we have of our lives.
 

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I have several important updates/announcements below (a BIG one about Year of Intention, a new Weekly Meditation & Coaching Group, a new & improved way to access yoga & meditation class recordings, and more...) so please hang with me and read thoroughly!

, Ellie

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Year of Intention: journey to a more intentional life
Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can - Arthur Ashe

*STARTS THIS WEDNESDAY!!*

Yes, you can still apply.
And, yes, you should.

Please email me ASAP if you would like to join what is sure to be an incredible year! You will: 
>> gain clarity on what matters most to you (and discover that it's ever-changing and that's ok!)
>> come to understand what makes you uniquely YOU and the best way to support yourself, holistically, in order to live a life that feels meaningful and fulfilled
>> be part of a larger community of individuals doing the same heart & soul-level work while also developing a close support network of individuals in your small group

Next chance to join won't be until 2023... do you want to wait that long?
APPLY NOW - you will be so glad you did!

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Weekly Meditation & Coaching Groups
*NEW GROUP*
Tuesdays 12-1pm
12-week session starting 1/4*
*prorated options available

I'm adding a 3rd group to my schedule!   

We all have learned who to be, what to be, and how to be in this world. This conditioned way of operating in the world keeps us limited in our relationship to our life as it directs us, unconsciously, in the choices we make, the actions we take, and in what we believe about ourselves and the world.

Through awareness-based coaching tools & practices, we have the chance to begin to undo the unconscious parts of ourselves that have us operating in a state of unrecognized reactivity to life. The support and presence of a group of committed peers helps guide individuals in personal growth and transformation.No prior meditation experience necessary.

Dates
Tuesdays / 12-1pm
Jan 4, 11, 18, 25
Feb 1, 8, 15, 22
Mar 1, 8, 15, 22

Payments 
Payment for groups is a pay-what-you-can donation. Please choose an amount that feels like a meaningful exchange for the work and teachings being given. My suggested range is $100-$300 per 12-week session, though you can choose a lesser or greater amount if you'd like. 

Requests
The teachings that I am giving during our groups are sacred in nature. They have been given to me by my teacher and to her by hers and so on. It is an honor and a privilege for me to be able to share what I have been given. Our groups are also a safe and intentional space. We, therefore, commit to:
-- keeping sacred and confidential all that is shared during our time together
-- showing up consistently and fully - giving our complete attention to whomever is speaking. Please keep your cameras on and take care of any necessities (eating, restroom, etc) prior to the beginning of group

If you are interested, please email me ASAP. If you have not worked with me in some capacity before, please let me know - I will request a quick video call to learn more about you to make sure this is the right fit.

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