Excerpt from The Power of Consciousness

Today's post is a section of Dr. Susan Nettleton's online Sunday talk, "The Power of Consciousness" (If you would like to be on our email list for future talks, email us at hillsideew@aol.com, or our website contact page at hillsidesource.com)

"So, what do I mean when I say consciousness? Loosely, we can say consciousness is a particular kind of awareness that includes awareness of ourself. Consciousness includes being aware and able to think about one's own existence, emotions, thoughts, and environment. The more I searched to find a concise definition of consciousness, the more I realized the cross currents of definition. Some philosophers and modern researchers view consciousness as the mind; your consciousness is your mind and your mind is a complex set of capabilities and processes interacting with your body and emotional states. Consciousness then, becomes a subset of the mind, representing our immediate awareness of our inner and outer experiences.

Usually, we consider consciousness as conscious activity of the brain, but modern research is re-defining what consciousness is--awareness is not so cut and dried. An essential factor is that we must use our mind, our consciousness, to define consciousness. We don't get outside of our mind. Or do we? Consider the wandering mind as opposed to the focused mind. Essentially we have come up with a term and a concept to pursue understanding of how human beings process and use awareness of our own experiences, and awareness of our own thoughts and feelings, and our interactions with other minds. Don't mistake what we name we give it, for this awareness of ourselves as living, thinking, planning, learning beings.

Then we have cognitive science as a 20th century construct, that explores the process of thinking, in the fields of anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, psychology and neuroscience. It sprung from the 1950 construct of the mind being like a computer with the adage: "the mind is like software, the brain is like hardware". This was a shift away from the 17th century revelation of Descartes, "I think therefore I am", and the idea that the mind is separate and different from the body (although there was some awareness that the brain could communicate with the body to some extent). We now know that cognition, as our process of thought and thinking, is not located in your head. Rather, it is described as a neural network of interactions with the body and its environment. The degree to which we are aware of that functioning, is an aspect of consciousness. As one of the articles from Cal Tech's consciousness exchange described, "We know that consciousness is inextricably linked to the brain, but a comprehensive understanding of this connection remains an open scientific question."

My intent here is a call to a practice that affirms the positive aspects of Life right now, as Life is, today, March 2026. My short review of these 20th century and 21st century constructs is to orient that consciousness of yours to where we are now, in this exploration and understanding of the power of consciousness. I accept the power of individual, conscious, positive affirmation to lift your sense of meaning and purpose. Research shows that positive affirmation and a positive state of mind supports health, including mental, emotional health, as well as physical health (more important now than ever in a time when our healthcare systems have fragmented). Positive affirmation as an aspect of spiritual practice, enhances your participation in the unfolding, collective, technological and environmental shifts of our times. The power of consciousness is really a call to you, to affirm the Highest and Best unfoldment for you personally, and for our world. There's a lot of room there for layers of the social order. The way of affirmation has been around a long time; really as long as prayer has been around. The psychology of affirmation blossomed in the 20th century, why not continue and enhance it in the 21st. Affirmation is prayer; it is faith in the Good of what we name as God, or the Universe, or the All. This is the power of consciousness.

Today's poetry: https://www.eugeniasalomon.com/blog/the-wind https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/1527532/apocalypse https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/A/AngelouMaya/ABraveand/index.html

The Wind

In the U.S.A. this Sunday, we "Spring Forward" and in that process, most of us lose an hour of sleep. The more we learn about the body's response to losing that hour, the more self-gentleness seems the way to adapt. If you already have been losing sleep in the changing times, (and I don't mean the time change), then it is doubly important to find a space of disengagement, if not this Sunday, then some time this week. This weekend has also spawned severe weather in the midwest, including intense thunder storms and lethal tornados. Here in Southern California, we have surging winds with a new set of alerts and warnings--all the more reason to pursue inner calm, rather than inner storm.

To do that, consider reframing the week ahead, by opening a window of positivity. One can certainly argue there is a downside to daylight savings time, but for now, it is our collective practice. Frame it as more Light to shine on your circumstances. When you can't find any Good in the storms' destruction, give yourself awareness of the sun's return, and the stirrings of Life's renewal as support. Here, the winds have not been so destructive, and the heavy rains we have faced earlier means the fire threat is low. So, in honor of wind, I am re-reading Margaret of Navarre 's poem, "Wind will Blow it All Away" (link below, trans. by Robert Bly, from his book, The Soul is Here for Its Own Joy).

Margret of Navarre (1492-1549) was a sister of the French king Francis, and she herself became a queen as the wife of the king of Navarre in the Pyrenees. Her prolific writings were the expression of both her intellect and her deep spirituality. Consider in our 21st century, the first 2 stanza's of her Wind poem.

If someone insults you, Go on, with light heart; If they all do it, pay No heed to what they say. There's no new art In talk of that kind. Wind will blow it all away.

If someone praises Devotion Implying of course it's OK, But says of course the works Of the Law are much greater, It's weird dogma, Pass by, don't bother. Wind will blow it all away.

So I am letting the wind blow in the renewing transition of March. With the promise of spring, why not add, in calm expectancy and clarity, an affirmation of Peace. Let the wind blow away all barriers to Peace. (Susan Nettleton)

For poetry: http://warpandwolf.blogspot.com/2007/07/wind-will-blow-it-all-away.html https://americanliterature.com/author/robert-frost/poem/wind-and-window-flower https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/1527547/it-steals-into-my-heart

Enter March

Today, we enter March. I had been mulling over the intensity of the last week of February: The State of the Union Address and it's counter, The Peoples' State of the Union, the drama and joy of the Winter Olympics, the sudden "Blizzard of 2026", hitting the New York Tri-State area, as temperatures here in L.A. county soared above 90 º. And now, on the last day of February, American and Israeli forces bombed Iran. Where we collectively go from here is not clear yet. A new month is one way to consider a spiritual re-set as as the world stage reacts. We can begin with moments of peace, moments of prayer for healing that extend to peace for all. Can we leave February behind, but take Love with us as we open to Peace?

As I was mulling over the week's events (before the attack), and this shift to a new month, an artist friend of mine sent me a photo of the winter landscape surrounding his New York studio. (see below)

I texted back the first thought that popped into my mind, a poem by William Carlos Williams.

"Among

of

green stiff

old

bright broken

branch

come white

sweet

May again."

Yet, I sat a little longer with the photo. In that quiet space, I was transported to Switzerland, and the memory of a magical drive through a snow covered forest, with our mutual friend and teacher, U.G. Krishnamurti. It was late December. The upcoming New Year loomed ahead - was it 2005? 2006? I'm not sure. I just sat with the photo, the spring poem, and the winter nostalgia of Switzerland, acutely aware of passing time. Even the naming of this month seems a reminder that time is "on the March" in Nature's transition. The months of winter, the promise of spring, and March in between--"in like a lion; out like a lamb" is the timeless chant of March, (dating back to at least 1732 in an English book of proverbs). March is the pivot between the memory of spiritual retreat in a winter wonderland forest, and the arrival of "white sweet May again", in the movement of the seasons.

The point here is to pause this first week of March, and reconnect with Nature. It doesn't have to be outside in bad weather; Nature is everywhere. With the human centered pressure to transform the world into something other (and there are infinite visions and revisions being dreamed of in these times), as ancient as it may seem, our lives are still enriched and sustained by the natural, in Nature's ongoing rotation. Perhaps, I can really call it Nature's agenda, which includes the Whole of Life--every evolving creature in It. When you reach news overload, remember March may begin with a roar, but softens into spring. As much as we love to assume that we, as human beings, rule life, we remain a component of a much larger field--call it Nature, or the Universe, or God the Transcendent. Still, we are home. (Susan Nettleton)

For poetry: https://mypoeticside.com/show-classic-poem-35463 https://poets.org/poem/dear-march-come-1320 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45667/the-gardener-85

Louis Brawley, March 2026

A Lighter Love

As February comes to a close this week, with all the latest news and conflicts, it seems important to complete this month with a lighter heart. First though, I want to return to Corinthians 13:13, that I quoted St. Paul last week: "and now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love." When your heart is heavy with national and world events, or with troubled events in your personal life, it's not a simple thing to dissolve by just willing your emotions to "lighten up". That's why I offer the scripture; it brings a progression of spiritual perspective. Today I add another Biblical quote Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, but not yet seen." Many assume it was also written by St. Paul, but that is questioned by other biblical scholars. Regardless, it offers a bridge between between faith and hope. Metaphysically, as Emmet Fox put it, "what you think upon grows. Whatever you allow to occupy your mind, you magnify in your life." When you add faith to your thoughts, along with your inherent human hope, you participate in the creation of a more satisfying, fulfilling life.

Naming faith as substance brings a dual message of the real. Faith is an assurance that Life provides for what we need on a concrete level (food, clothing, shelter, financial/transactional wherewithal), as well as fulfilling our spiritual longing for connection to the Unseen, the unfathomable Allness. The true substance is our relationship, our union with the Godhead. Now all this may sound weighty, not light. Yet, our overriding context here is actually Love. Certainly some forms of religious beliefs are heavily weighted with human imperfections, requiring suffering and sacrifice, but what kind of Love is that? Consider instead a spirituality that lifts the burden of life from your shoulders, a spirituality that brings your mind and heart peace, a spirituality that sparks compassion and care that includes--actually begins with--your own well-being and belonging.

This week, follow the thread of life that allows you to feed your faith in the essential goodness and delight in life, an inner song of hope that hums quietly, gently, as you go about your day, navigating whatever disruption or storm. Don't wrestle with hatred this week. Consider the simplicity of love, not the complexity. Simply Love the things, the activities, the beings you love. Tread lightly. Spring will come. Love sustains us all. (Susan Nettleton)

for poetry: https://thepoetryplace.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/life-is-but-a-weaving-the-tapestry-poem-by-corrie-ten-boom/ https://whitmanarchive.org/item/ppp.00270_00330 https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/A/ArabiMuhyidd/Myheartwears/index.html

Hope

Where does February lead after Valentine's Day? After last weeks flurry of assembling classroom valentines and treats, a morning meditation brought me a scripture from St. Paul, the essence of his teachings: Corinthians 13:13, "and now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love." But rather than the obvious focus on Love with all the Valentine energy, I have been reflecting on the "precursors" to love: faith and hope. Faith and hope lead us to our capacity to Love. Something in me settled with a focus on hope. Saturday then brought further complexity, with a weather alert and another series of storms headed for Southern California this week.

Consider hope. Hope often seems the weaker path in our reckoning with Nature and the turbulence of climate, let alone the conflicts of the social order/disorder. Hope for reconciliation, hope for peace, hope for simply our future. Few of us can move forward in life carrying hopelessness. Daring, choosing to be hopeful seems risky when our hope is not grounded in something of the factual, tangible world. On the other hand hopelessness will simply not motivate us to pursue avenues, experiences, and interactions that reinforce hope. What we read, what we listen to, the social media clips and videos that we watch, inevitably feed and alter our perspective, our "take on life". Community social influence is powerful. Early human beings who bonded into groups, reinforced belonging with shared viewpoints--that reinforcement is still very much there, but the scope is so much more complex. The way we access information and the sheer amount of information is beyond previous generations with single, simple group bonding. "Facts" can and do contradict in the vast modern range of information and communication. Hope is the expectation of Good. Hope is not so much about ignoring facts, but it can be strengthened by a focus on positive facts and their potential. As humans, we collectively build our expectations on the facts we choose to absorb.

Yet ultimately, hope has a deeper inner source, that doesn't reveal all of Life's mechanisms. It is that still quiet inner urge that lifts us into life again and again. As Emily Dickinson wrote, "Hope, is the thing with feathers", our inner bird-like silent song that lifts us again and again. Hope is the source of human resilience. In the worst of times, Hope rises in the heart.

"I’ve heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me."

Hope feeds our hearts and prepares us to Love. Maybe this is a good time to trust it. (Susan Nettleton)

for poetry: https://www.hopeisthething.com/the-poem https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46446/still-i-rise https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48601/yellow-glove

The Soft

This week begins with Super Bowl Sunday....In addition to the fierce competitive spirit of whichever team you are rooting for (2026 brings East Coast New England Patriots v.s. West Coast Seattle Sea Hawks--battling in California, no less!), the 2026 culture war has brought a new split to the highlight of Super Bowl musical spectacle at half-time. Puerto Rican American singer Bad Bunny, the official headliner of this year's NFL entertainment extravaganza, will sing in Spanish. In competitive protest, Turning Point USA, (led by Erika Kirk) will offer their alternative "All American Halftime Show", featuring Kid Rock, on another channel. Who could have ever dreamed of such an entanglement around Super Bowl music! The cultural/political power struggles are unlikely to be solved by a battle of the bands, even as Super Bowl 2026 fades. In contrast this week, I invite you to consider the power of the soft.

Soft seems so contradictory to a week that begins with the toughness of premier football players, and a climate of social-political pressures underlying, not just athletics, but healthcare, immigration, international power plays, and financial maneuvers. If you feel your body and mind is in a constant state of tension, consider softening. By definition, the soft has the quality of yielding to pressure or weight. Soft fruit yields to our touch. Soft is malleable; it can adjust and adapt. In nature, softness is a response to the awe of life in so many forms, and especially in our encounters with the vulnerable. In relationship and connection, softness is an expression of love; it is linked to tenderness and our own willing vulnerability. In our inner spiritual depths, softness is our receptivity to the Divine, to the Inner Directive. Softness is the pull to love and to be Loved.

It may seem impossible to shift from bracing against what often feels like ominous threats of explosive change, to an experiment in cultivating softness. Yet, softness fosters resilience. I am not writing of weakness. Softness is not weakness; it is a kind of trust in the essential goodness at the root of life. That trust is strength, and self care. As the ancient Taoist sage Lao Tzu, put it: “Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it.” Tao Te Ching, Verse 78

To thrive and survive as the world becomes increasingly complex, humans developed mechanisms and constructs that allow us to release emotional tension and conflict in ways that promote social order, rather than destroy it. Consider Super Bowl Sunday as collective sublimation. In psychology, sublimation is a defense mechanism that channels the socially unacceptable impulses into something more beneficial to collective society. With football, we channel our anger and frustration onto a reduced battlefield, a fight by proxy, with well trained athletes and lots of energy flowing, as we watch the players run, throw, catch, evade, tackle and fling themselves across the end zone. We spectators have our catharsis; we cheer, scream, even cry. Let them fight it out, we watch. Softness maybe useful in an occasional surprise play on the football field, but there is something to football as planned aggression. We can watch and shout and scream, in the stands or in our living room and leave the field when it's done. We don't have to be hardened after the game. Exhausted maybe, but it's cathartic exhaustion.

After the win or loss, return to softness of heart. This week may bring more challenges to softness. The wonder of the human heart is that it does reset, when we say yes to a softer way. (Susan Nettleton). https://hillsidesource.com/daily-thoughts/2018/6/26/yielding?rq=Lao%20Tzu https://grateful.org/resource/kindness/ https://www.best-poems.net/amanda-gorman/chorus-of-the-captains.html https://grateful.org/resource/belonging/

The Natural

This Sunday we enter February.-- the "short" month, with its midpoint aura of Valentine love--beginning with a vibrant full moon. No way around it, January has been rough across America. Maybe it's the bright full moon, or maybe it's the relief of blue sky and mild weather here in Southern California, but I feel a infinitesimal drop of spring in the atmosphere. And it has me reflecting on that which is natural. Last week, I wrote of human beings as an aspect of nature, and the possibility of opening to the "primal without the primitive." It occurred to me this week that another approach, perhaps a corollary, is turning to that which is natural, in our daily lives. Consider the natural aspects of your daily life as a way of perceiving yourself as an aspect of nature.

A few days ago, I was at the dentist for a routine cleaning. My usual strategy for dental appointments is a kind of dual awareness--I settle into meditation, but maintain enough alertness to shift when the dentist or hygienist needs me to shift. This appointment was routine cleaning, so I settled in and began reflecting on "the natural." I noted how "natural" it is for me to lie back in that dental chair. I started dental visits when I was very young; my mother was a school nurse and made sure our family practiced what she taught in schools--we all had regular dental visits. They were not always a pleasant experience, still, I'm grateful for the interventions and care. As I relaxed in the chair, I considered the hygienist, busy cleaning my teeth. She always seems to enjoy her work, and is very meticulous. I considered whether or not she was "a natural" at what she does. Most likely. I don't know her personal history. Here is where my contemplation snagged. I questioned, is dentistry natural?

The simplest definition of natural is that which is found in, or produced by, nature. We can add, that which conforms to nature--not something artificially changed, or conditioned. But natural can also be defined as that which is in agreement with human nature. Can human nature be artificially changed or conditioned? There are many attempts to do so. Animals in general have inherent ways of natural self-care. Culture refers to groups of humans with shared practices that include personal care and health practices, "natural" to the culture, to the group. Yet modern culture can churn out all sort of products and practices that take us further and further away from nature. On the other hand, relying on only a narrow definition of nature, cuts us off from the gift of human intelligence, discovery, and creativity that spur life forward.

What I was left with was a line of poetry that floated through my mind as the hygienist continued to scrape, "I Thank you God--for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes..." I couldn't place the poem, but later, I looked it up, and found the e.e.cummings poem. (link below). It was all I needed. This week, consider your own natural movement and rhythm in your every day live. Sense what is natural for you, sand what is not. Let the natural lead. (Susan Nettleton)

For Poetry: https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/C/cummingsee/ithankYouGod/index.html https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/N/Nirmala/itishere/index.html https://allpoetry.com/poem/12402226-The-Natural-Way-by-Zakariyya

The Storm

As I reflect on this last Sunday in January, Winter Storm Fern is unleashing it's potentially 'catastrophic force' as it moves across a predicted 2,000 mile area, possibly impacting over 200 million people. A storm of this magnitude necessitated warnings, preparations, and emergency plans--all of which have been initiated. Miraculously, California is not in Fern's path...this time. But I am connected to friends and family across the country, so I too watch and wait. Despite the knowledge we have gathered in meteorology, climatology, and the other atmospheric sciences, we do not control the weather, and we cannot unerringly predict the causes, course, and impact of such a storm. Inevitably, social/political conflict over our changing climate hangs in the air along with our collective uncertainty of the future. Meanwhile, despite sub-zero temperatures, the phenomenal people of Minneapolis, are lining streets in protest of another kind of ICE (the immigration force), in another kind of storm.

As I absorbed the news this weekend, the ending line from a poem by Juan Ramon Jimenez, popped into my thoughts: "Life without calculation." (see link below for the complete poem). Here again, comes the paradox between Nature and Human Beings--our capacity to stand outside of our environment, our world, and reflect--categorize, calculate, while being an expression of Nature ourselves. Humans, as well as storms, are a force of Nature. Collectively, over centuries, we distanced ourselves (from ourselves as Nature), creating an identity of separation from every other form of life, as well as from one another. But another aspect of humans is the potential to come into a realization, or perhaps we can name it as a return, beyond our isolated sense of self. I thought of my friend and teacher, U.G. Krishnamurti, who described the state he attained in his "calamitous" shattering of self, as becoming "primal without the primitive". That phrase has long impacted me.

What does it mean to become primal without the primitive? For example, anthropology might point to the development of tools as early humans moved from beyond the primitive. Primal is the original, before humans separated themselves from nature. Primitive, in this sense, refers to a condition which lacks tools, technology, mathematics and language--that which provides understanding, creativity, and support. I can pull in here that line of poetry, "Life without calculation". Calculation is useful in our development beyond the primitive. It can refer to higher mathematics and probabilities, and concepts that have taken us beyond the primitive in our quest to understand life. Yet, calculation can also have an overlay of separation: calculation to achieve one's own separate interest, regardless of the impact on the whole. With Juan Ramon Jimenez's poem, endless openings await us; calculating our path is irrelevant.

So what does this have to do with massive storms? If you are stuck inside and have a power source, consider this week that you are not a victim of nature; you are home. Whether you are riding out the wind, cold, and ice, sheltered in place, or you are in the throes of protests, wearing layers of winter protection in service to humanity and Life, you remain an aspect of nature. You are equipped with endless possibilities, for thriving, creating, discovering--the primal without the primitive, beyond mere calculation. Expect the way to open to renewal. There is plenty to contemplate while waiting out your storm, until the time of restoration. Peace. (Susan Nettleton)

for poetry: https://108zenbooks.com/2010/07/16/life-without-calculation/ https://poets.org/poem/spellbound\ https://mypoeticside.com/show-classic-poem-30476

Peace Moments

This week I had to opportunity to attend a family and friends celebration for "graduating" students of a Cotillion program. The Cotillion tradition reaches back to 18th Century ballroom dancing, commingled with social skills training for youth, and coming of age ceremonies. There was a sweetness and innocence to the 2026 version of dressed-up California pre-adolescent boys and girls, randomly partnered by their teachers, practicing introductions and conversation, as they learned to compliment one another, and dance. The students were a California mix of backgrounds, barrios, wealthy families as well as struggling ones, that all seemed to be reaching for a stable future by invoking traditions of the past. Cell phones were mostly silenced. No one was watching relentless You Tube videos. No screens. No political commentary. New skills, music, cookies, companionship, and a lovely sunset, clearly brought a space of hope, after a year of upheaval that impacted the whole. This was a delightful evening of Peace.

My intention here is to encourage you to move forward in your own lives, by collecting your present moments of peace. I could critique the flaws of social conditioning; we are all conditioned in one way or another by social pressure. And we are consciously and unconsciously bombarded by threatening forces of one type or another. But we can stop to find ease within. Another friend sent me photos today of her hike up a local mountain trail that has been closed for a year; the area had dangerously damaged, burned and scarred in the January 2025 fires. It has taken a full year for nature and the forest rangers to restore it. This weekend it has finally returned--nature in it's glory!

The way of affirmation of life, of the Good, is not by forcing ourselves to be positive, especially when we feel just the opposite. Yet, rehearsing pain, anger, or fear is not helpful either. When pain--emotional, physical or mental--comes, feel it, acknowledge it, but gently stay open to receive peace. Peace is there. We collect more Peace as we recognize Peace, as we attend to it, and name Peace, even if it is only momentary, it is Real. This week, set aside the phone, the news, the screens for a bit--feel the Peace of silence, the Peace of a nature trail, the Peace of laughter and Dance. Consider that your life is already filled with Peaceful moments, and they expand when recognized and acknowledged. Let it be a week of Peace. (Susan Nettleton)

"World peace through nonviolent means is neither absurd nor unattainable. All other methods have failed. Thus we must begin anew… Those of us who believe in this method can be voices of reason, sanity, and understanding amid the voices of violence, hatred and emotion. We can very well set a mood of peace out of which a system of peace can be built.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. (Dreams of Brighter Tomorrows in Ebony Magazine, March 1965."

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud

https://www.dorothyhunt.org/peace-is-this-moment

https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/K/KalidasEdwar/WayToPeace/index.html

Clarity

As I write today, it's difficult to believe that we are entering only the 2nd full week of 2026, and already the country has been rocked by the American take-over of Venezuela, and now, the death of Renee Good in the ICE shooting tragedy. I have to remind myself that as I see it, my job is not political commentary, but rather to point you back to your spiritual life. It's easy to lose spiritual focus with the onslaught of tragic news. Our overly-present phones make it easy to absorb the news and public response as the first event of the morning. I confess, while uncertain of how to approach my Sunday post, it took me a time of news, messages, and a mug of tea this morning, before I could settle into meditation. What a relief to meditate!

Simply watching my breath once again, reminded me how much life simply takes care of itself. All morning long, as I bustled about, I was breathing, recklessly unaware of that breath sustaining me, connecting me to the circulating breath of others and nature's breath, in the harmony of exchange. I might focus on other aspects of our living bodies that function on their own as well, without our conscious thought, but the breath was at the forefront in today's meditation, while the mind wandered back into the news, and the connections and commitments of the day ahead, including this post. Then, my 51 years of meditation brought me back to the breath again, as thought quietened. One word spoke: Clarity.

In these times of unexpected, repetitive shocks, our emotional and physical reactions--however they come and go--settle, as we find clarity of mind. Sometimes that clarity just spontaneously opens, but it's more likely to open when you recognize the need for it. There is so much "spin" from the culture--social media, news, marketing--that are attempts to leverage and manipulate our individual understanding and interpretation. Our intuitive, personal wisdom--that which gives order and continuity to our intentions, plans, actions--are hijacked, leaving us with confusion and paralysis. Time to clear the field of false thoughts! By false, I mean: that which is not truly Your thought.

This week I encourage you to sit with Clarity. Trust your innate capacity, the ability of your physical body, emotional responses, and intelligence to settle; learn the way that settling happens for you. For me, it is usually though meditation, but not always. A quiet nature walk, or an aimless drive, can free my mind as well. For some, it may come from writing out your thoughts, or through actually talking, expressing your understanding with someone who is able to let you, be you--enough to clarify your own direction. When more news hits, which it will, take the time to refresh your "mental screen", and trust Your unfolding, evolving understanding as it reveals Clarity. (Susan Nettleton) )

For poetry: https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/words-of-wonder/clarity-martin-bril/ https://www.poemstocomfortandinspire.com/post/gift-of-a-clear-mind-short-poem-about-mental-clarity https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/U/UngarLynn/WayItIs/index.html