one step at a time!!

laying a strong foundation for my life, a foundation of happiness and peace for everyone in the world, beginning with myself, my home and my communities. i want the land to be the purest land, the buddha's land. today we had an amazing gosho study and mom came with me.

first step was chanting with mom, now we are studying together. she took the cutest notes which she gave me as a gift at the end. there was a daimoku toso going on in the next room at the Miami Community Center, I really wanted to go chant after the meeting. Mom picked through the window and said let's go chant! i could not believe it, this is AMAZING!!!

these were some of mom's notes:
encourage-perseverance-enlightenment
achieve happiness-sustain power of happiness
strong faith-go deep in the faith
peace and security
persistence effort to achieve our faith
purpose

rock the era festival is really changing my life. I can feel how everything is changing, transforming, expanding, shifting, illuminating, many struggles followed by victories and realized dreams.

i hope from the bottom of my heart that all youth will be able to come to the festival, sgi members and non-members. i want everyone to realize their dreams. you know we can do this together, learn to be united, learn that we can learn and accomplish anything. we can transform the east coast into the buddha's land.

be courageous and fearless!!
i love you sooo much!!!
let's win!
let's be the happiest!!
let's support everyone in their happiness!

if you took money out of the equation, what would you like life to be?

happiness

i love sharing. i love when i can share my process of growth and transformation and when others share theirs with me. i grow sooo much more when we grow together.
tonight when i got home, mom had left a letter on top of my bed.
right at the end it said: today i chanted in your room (where my gohonzon is). sharing the practice of chanting nam myoho renge kyo with mom is the most amazing thing i have experienced in my life. i know that through this we are polishing our lives together in ways that i can't even imagine right now. i want to keep building great spiritual fortune, so that tomorrow i can be amazed by how happy our family is.

i remember when i could not even dare to dream of this moment with perseverance and love all dreams come true!

i believe

in that space in between
where the known ends and the unknown begins,
in that space in between
where i take a leap of faith and take a bet on life,
overcoming the fear of crashing
right then, something inside feels free and so uplifting;
and i realize that i can fly

snake spiral heart

my heart is shedding its skin just like a snake. as if my heart had grown and its skin had become too small and needed to expand. first it felt like my heart had broken and i felt an emptiness in my chest. I surrendered to that feeling and trusted that everything would be fine. during the transition between the old and the new skin, i felt exposed and vulnerable.
I spend time by the ocean, the water taught me to let things go
to let movement be free
to give up blockages and constraints
something opened up
something healed
an acceptance for a new kind of sensibility
a little more compassion
a new way to feel undoncitional love
a new beginning to give generously
to let my life be moved by intuition
honor the wisdom found within
trust, trust, trust...
love, love, love...

What is enlightenment?

idealism

i am always heartstruck by how some words and some tiny moments touch my life so deeply, i like to call them "magical moments wrapped up in tiny seconds". it feels like an intense moment of clarity filled with warm empathy, illuminating the channels where i feel my connection with the entire world.

a couple of months ago, i was having a conversation with a friend about our views of life. I remember that one of the first things I said was something like, well i am an idealist, used as a disclosure/ warning given before I am given that look that says well that sounds pretty, but things like that do not happen... I was surprised when my friend looked me in the eyes and told me there is nothing wrong with being idealist. He said idealist comes from something that IS IDEAL, we are crazy if we don't live our lives in the direction with what we think is good for us and the world. I thought wow he is right!!

After that conversation, something shifted in the way I communicate with the world. I began to own what I think and say what I think and feel without being afraid of the responses I would get from other people. Sharing what I truly feel in my heart with others has not only been liberating, but I am seeing how the circles around me are changing and shifting in a way that I feel supported and uplifted.

My deepest gratitude and appreciation to you for sharing your life and supporting me,
allowing my life to expand in all directions!

I found this article about the idealist temperament in wikipedia and if you know me. I think it will make you smile :)

dad

everyday i admire dad more. he is truly an inspiration on how to be an extraordinary and humble human being. he is my hero and an example on how to be a selfless, generous, kind and driven human being. a dreamer. he has taught me many things, how to be a dreamer, to be true to myself, go beyond where i think i could ever go, being an independent and strong women, what it's like to be supported, how to remain calm and centered in the midst of conflict. dad i love you sooooo much
one of the things, i love about dad lately is that he will begin to dance in the street when we are walking if he listens to a song that he likes.

highlights of father's day
eating oranges and listening to carlos gardel
hugging dad
dad thanking us
me thanking dad
listening to dad talk about life and time
feeling in my heart how much he loves us unconditionally and cares for us
sharing pieces of dark chocolate with him
being in his presence and spirit

if i could teletransport myself...

Somebody asked me, what I would do If I could teletransport myself?
I would go visit my best friend

espiral

la espiral me llama
me dice que vuelva al centro
que ahí
se encuentra la sanación
y transformación que ahora busco
que deje el miedo fuera

aunque sienta un vacío
en el estómago y en el corazón
que lo deje pasar
que no me apegue
que no deje que el miedo entre

seguiré emprendiendo este camino
al centro
a la esencia
al corazón
donde todo es claro
donde la conexión
que tenemos todos los seres vivos
es igual de transparente al manantial
que se encuentra a lo alto de la montaña

la purificación a veces requiere de este proceso
de desintoxicación
de limpieza profunda del corazón
para que el alma pueda conservar su brillo
y con esta lágrima que corre por mi cara
descubro otra vez lo que es la compasión

easy does it

some really important and relevant areas of growth to focus on right now!!

so great when things are in rhythm. I need to work a little more on surrendering and letting go. Learning a little bit more every day to be vulnerable and share without attachments and expectations. Cultivating a soft, strong and open heart where I can give generously while maintaining my inner strength.

here it goes... getting ready to transition into summer and laying out some intentions for the new season that is coming next week

1) "There is no need to hurry or force things to happen. Everything is occurring in perfect timing."

"Nurturing a cause or a relationship is a long term commitment, and one that can't be rushed. This level of devotion comes from a place of deep loving and concern. I care what happens to my planet and to my loved ones so much that I am willing to stick with them through thick and thin. This isn't always easy, but to me, it's the only way to ensure that matters are resolved and healed. I listen to the passionate stirrings of my heart. I reach out and take action to let my loved ones know that I deeply care about them. I take action to spur on my pet causes. Never mind what other people think; you will benefit by carrying through with your priorities. You'll feel so good about yourself if you make time for the relationships and projects that truly count in your heart. Do what's important to you, and do it with absolute devotion! But remember that there is no competition for your true life's purpose, so THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY, HURRY OR FEEL THAT YOU HAVE TO FORCE THINGS TO HAPPEN."

2) "Keep you unwavering thoughts, feelings, and actions focused on your target, and you will make your mark."

"Tenacity means sticking to a decision and not allowing outside forces to sway you. Imagine yourself to be like a mighty oak tree, with your roots deeply planted into Mother Earth. Feel your solid strength and steady upward growth. Know that, no matter what happens, you will succeed! Your branches may twist and turn as you flex toward the light, yet your unwavering intentions will ensure that no faint wind will sway you from your mission. Be in charge of your body, your schedule, and your mind, and keep them focused upon your target!"

2) "You are a magical person who can manifest your clear intentions into reality"

"A large part of my power stems from my connection to animals and nature. If you've been indoors too long, you can recapture your personal power by simply stepping outside. This simple motion will do you a world of good in reawakening your sleeping, magical, spiritual nature. Allow the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars to stir ancient memories that may be dormant. Recall the times of your magical abilities, and then put them into use immediately for the good of the entire planet. Resume the mission that was once aborted through the misdeeds of past-time leaders. Take up your spiritual arms and move with swift speed into the night, awakening one and all to the magic that is life itself. This is a mission that must be accomplished and you're the one who can help us with it."

earth prayers

Today, I felt like praying
       while sitting outside on the grass
       while the sun was shining on my skin and illuminating my heart
Today, I felt like I could sit and contemplate for a long time
      while silently showing appreciation to Mother Earth and all nurturing energies in the universe
You allow me to renew, to feel refreshed and be whole
Thank you Mother Earth and Mother Moon...

These are some of my favorite earth prayers

Teach your children
what we have our children
that the earth is our mother.
Whatever befalls the earth
befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
If men [and women] spit upon the ground,
They spit upon themselves.

This we know
The earth does not belong to us
We belong to the earth.
This we know
All things are connected
like the blood which unites one family
All things are connected

Whatever befalls the earth 

befalls the sons and daughters of the earth

We did not weave the web of life;

We are merely a strand in it

Whatever we do to the web 

We do to ourselves...

            Chief Seatlle

Earth Mother, Star Mother

You Who are called 

       by a thousand names

May all remember

       we are cells in your body

       and dance together

You are the grain

       and the loaf

That sustains us each day,

And as you are patient

       with our struggles to learn

So shall we be patient

       with ourselves and each other.

We are radiant light

       and sacred dark

       -the balance-

You are the embrace that heartens

And the freedom beyond fear.

Within you are born

       we grow, live and die

You bring us around the circle 

       to rebirth

Within us you dance

      forever

                            Starhawk

The mountains, I become part of it
The herbs, the fir tree, I become part of it
The morning mists, the clouds, the gathering waters, I become part of it
The wilderness, the dew drops, the pollen... I become part of it

Navajo Chant

Búsquenme donde se detiene el viento donde haya paz o no exista el tiempo

Búsquenme donde se esconde el sol,
donde exista una canción.
Búsquenme a orillas del mar
besando la espuma y la sal.

Búsquenme, me encontrarán
en el país de la libertad.
Búsquenme, me encontrarán
en el país de la libertad,
de la libertad.

Búsquenme donde se detiene el viento
donde haya paz o no exista el tiempo,
donde el sol seca las lágrimas
de las nubes en la mañana.

Búsquenme, me encontrarán
en el país de la libertad.
Búsquenme, me encontrarán
en el país de la libertad,
de la libertad.

activism and the middle path

I recently began exploring the path of activism. For me, it came naturally as an expansion of the work I had been doing before. In my life, activism and my spiritual practices are intertwined, interdependent and interconnected. Activism came in my life when I had expanded my heart in a way that I deeply cared about the world around me, not just the communities that I belong to or that I interact with, but extending to communities that before this expansion came were unknown to me. 

What is even more interesting to me, is that I came to participate in spiritual and educational activism as a way to give back, to give appreciation and to try to use in an "illuminated way"(as Paulo Freire would say) all the things I have learned in my life, literally in all areas of my life, to be surprised to see that It would become one of the places where my personal sustainability and spiritual growth would be tested. Activism has been a gift given to me in life to accelerate and assess in a very real way my spirituality and the purity of my heart. It shows me clearly all the things I need to polish in my life and allows me to practice interbeing by changing the focus of my life entirely on myself to a community of people trying to create a better world.

Some of the things that I have found most relevant in my life and that help sustain and nurture my happiness while doing this kind of work are:

-making sure I am learning about issues mindfully and not unconsciously consuming information in a way that it feeds mental formations of anger in my heart and my mind

 -always remembering that all living beings have a buddha nature

-acknowledging times when I need time for myself and restore, as well as maintaining all practices that allow me to keep walking on the middle path

-the middle path is a constant dance, remembering that it changes as I allow others to contribute in my life and my life moves, expands and goes through life and natural cycles.

-basing everything on unconditional love, compassion and kindness

-the process and the results should be the same, if I want to create a peaceful and loving society, the process has to be whatever I want to create 

"and resistance, at root, i think must mean more than resistance against war. It is a resistance against all kinds of things that are like war. Because living in modern society, one feels that he cannot easily retain integrity, wholeness. one is robbed permanently of humanness, the capacity of being oneself... So perhaps, first of all, resistance means opposition to being invaded, occupied, assaulted, and destroyed by the system. The purpose of resistance, here, is to seek the healing of yourself in order to be able to see clearly... Communities of resistance should be places were people can return to themselves more eeasily, where the conditions are such that they can heal themselves and recover wholeness." Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh on transforming anger (as applicable to the activist)

me das algo dulce para pasarme este trago amargo?

waves

this week, i stayed across from the ocean.
i have always felt drawn to water
there's a lot to learn from the way water moves.
as i contemplated, the ocean waves crashing
disappearing
dissipating
melting away as they touched the sand
i witnessed a dance of surrender and detachment
i learned that life and waves move in the same way

the dance of life is so much about rhythm
about the energy of the wave you are experiencing at a specific moment in life
being in tune with that rhythm,
knowing that it has a useful life that does not last forever in that form,
the energy of that wave dissipates and transforms into something else

ocean waves reminded me that everything in my life is changing constantly.
that there is no need to try to control movement
simply enjoy things as they are in the present moment
then, letting them go, on the next out breath
without attachment and total appreciation
surrendering the ego and opening the heart
beginning anew with every cycle that comes in life
beginning anew with every wave of life i have the honor to share with you

No te rindas

No te rindas, aún estás a tiempo, 

De alcanzar y comenzar de nuevo,

Aceptar tus sombras,

Enterrar tus miedos,

Liberar el lastre,

Retomar el vuelo.

No te rindas que la vida es eso,

Continuar el viaje,

Perseguir tus sueños,

Destrabar el tiempo,

Correr los escommbros

Y destapar el cielo.

No te rindas, por favor no cedas,

Aunque el frío queme,

Aunque el miedo muerda,

Aunque el sol esconda,

Y se calle el viento,

Aún hay fuego en tu alma

Aún hay vida en tus sueños.

Porque la vida es tuya y tuyo también el deseo

Porque lo has querido y porque te quiero

Porque existe el vino y el amor, es cierto.

Porque no hay heridas que no cure el tiempo.

Abrir las puertas,

Quitar los cerrojos,

Abandonar las murallas que te protegieron,

Vivir la vida y aceptar el reto,

Recuperar la risa,

Ensayar un canto,

Bajar la guardia y extender las manos

Desplegar las alas

E intentar de nuevo,

Celebrar la vida y retomar los cielos.

No te rindas, por favor no cedas,

Aunque el frío queme,

Aunque el miedo muerda,

Aunque el sol esconda,

Y se calle el viento,

Aún hay fuego en tu alma

Aún hay vida en tus sueños.

Porque cada día es un comienzo nuevo,

Porque esta es la hora y el mejor momento.

Porque no estás solo, porque yo te quiero.

         Mario Benedetti

liberation

to all the men in my life: I love you for who you are, not for what you do or what you can perform. 
I want to uncover all the ways in which I support patriarchal society and unveil all actions, thoughts and deeds that follow the domination system. I know that in my own liberation, is yours; the liberation of women cannot exist without the liberation of men and vice versa. I am amazed to see all the ways in which unconsciously I support patriarchy, following stereotypical gender roles in things that might seem little, but are just sneaky ways in which I am so conditioned to act a certain way. It could even be waiting for you to call, I have been told that men should make the first move in romantic relationships, always. Now, that I see this, I realize how hard it is for all men to put themselves out there. Rejection can be scary. On the other hand, it can be liberating to be true to ones feelings and communicate that to another person without attachment.  I am beginning to recognize the ways in which I have been conditioned by patriarchal society, i am determined to change that next time, instead of just waiting for men to act, we can do this together, dancing in life, discovering what equality is in human relationships. Equality is not just having equal pay or being able to work, it is also engaging equally in emotional and spiritual growth, not withdrawing or protecting my heart for fear of being hurt, but recognizing in each other our highest potential and walking a new road for us and for all humanity.

quiet is the new loud

slowing down and being quiet is possible even in the most crouded places. this weekend i was in orlando with my family not because i enjoy orlando, but because i wanted to spend time with them. there was a point where i felt i needed to take a break from the constant and overwhelming culture of consumerism found in disney, all the souvenirs, ligthed toys... that are sold everywhere. 

so i chose to take a silent walk, i found a pond and spent a long time there looking at dragonflies. it was amazing to see these insects living in a tiny piece of nature, see how resilient nature can be. it gave me hope. i felt so refreshed and grounded after spending time at this pond. even though it does not compare to being in a wilderness area, it was a reminder that if one wants to be in touch with nature there is a way, just be quiet, observant and explore green spaces. looking for them can be an observation exercise in itself and can be even approached as a way to explore with a new understanding and appreciation for the world we live in, a conscious awareness of our connection to nature.

being at this pond was my favorite part of my trip to orlando.

i love nature. 

nature is beautiful. 

my health depends on the health of my environment. 

my happiness depends on my connection to nature.

         

mom

just had a great and beautiful heart to heart with mom. i truly admire the commitment, our family has towards each other and we stick together when it might be easy to just give up. which reminds me of this quote by bell hooks: "When we face pain in relationships our first response is often to sever bonds rather than to maintain commitment."the combination of commitment and love can create the most amazing transformations. i love those moments of total awe when the impossible happens and love prevails. to me love is what makes a house a home. being able to feel at home is so important for me. i have realized this is especially true in times of transition. 


lately, i love being home. i needed this so much. i am in a cycle where to feel balanced i need time to process internally a lot of things. i think, because this time i want to transition mindfully and intentionally. being home is one of the things i need the most right now.
this moment seems like a miracle! enjoying quiet moments by myself used to be one of the things that i did not enjoy at all. i needed to be either moving, doing something or with someone to feel happy. basically, i needed to be distracted. now, i am enjoying being by myself and being with people and i am so grateful for this transformation. i don't feel the need of being distracted and i am starting to grasp the idea of being, being in the present moment. i feel so much more rooted, grounded and balanced.
living in tune with cycles is amazing. one of the treasures of nature. when i live in harmony with the cycles in natue and within myself, everything is more effortless and graceful. life flows naturally and organically. it also feels great to honor my needs.

spring turning into summer

slowly building a home
while i wait for us to meet
again
learning how to be the best version of me
to share my happiness with you

my classroom is the heart

the best classroom i have ever had

i am looking for you up in the sky
i can see you in the clouds

this is perfect

this is great
faith, hope and love!
yay!!!