Buddhism

Zen Ox Herding Pictures: Introduction

02/10/201508/12/2016 Jessica Davidson5 Comments

The ox herding pictures represent the process of awakening as described in Zen Buddhism. Each image is a metaphor that reveals the internal stages of meditation – how awakening looks from the inside. In this series we’ll look at each picture and explore what they mean, but first a bit of background. The original drawings… Continue reading Zen Ox Herding Pictures: Introduction

Writing

Writing Isn’t Like Making a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

14/09/201526/06/2020 Jessica Davidson4 Comments

“Every single time you sit down to write – a story, a poem, an essay, a novel – it will be a brand-new experience. No formula works. The mystery that solved your previous story doesn’t speak the same language as your current story. The key that unlocked the sonnet of yesterday won’t work today. Accept… Continue reading Writing Isn’t Like Making a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

Apocalypse

Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower

05/09/201526/06/2020 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

I’ve been watching the unfolding calamity of the refugee crisis in Europe, searching for a response – how to process the grief and not turn away from the darkness that I’m seeing. Then I found this beautiful poem by Rilke (from Sonnets to Orpheus II, 29) and it helped. I hope it helps you too…… Continue reading Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower

Awakening

It Starts Now

17/08/201526/06/2020 Jessica DavidsonVideo3 Comments

I’ve shared this fantastic video from Alan Watts before, but it bears repeating as a little reminder of a basic truth: you can’t blame others for the world you’re living in. Wake up and remember who you are!

Creativity · Meditation

Colouring Books: Art Therapy or Mindless Money-spinner?

10/08/201504/06/2023 Jessica Davidson9 Comments

There’s a new mindfulness craze sweeping the nation: colouring books for adults. It’s supposed to help you relax and be more mindful, but does it work? The idea is that keeping your hands occupied allows the mind to become still. If you struggle with normal meditation, where you have to sit and do nothing but… Continue reading Colouring Books: Art Therapy or Mindless Money-spinner?

Writing

The Real Cause of Writer’s Block and How to Overcome It

04/08/201509/06/2019 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

Every writer gets stuck once in a while, but suffering from writer’s block takes stuckness to a whole new level. It’s said that the difference between writers and would-be writers is that writers write. They actually put the words down and keep putting the words down – regardless. So what happens when you’re a writer… Continue reading The Real Cause of Writer’s Block and How to Overcome It

Awakening

Shadow and Light Source Both

30/07/201526/06/2020 Jessica Davidson3 Comments

How does a part of the world leave the world? How does wetness leave water? Don’t try to put out fire by throwing on more fire! Don’t wash a wound with blood. No matter how fast you run, your shadow keeps up. Sometimes it’s in front! Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow. But that… Continue reading Shadow and Light Source Both

Awakening

Pooh Follows the Honey of Intuition

27/07/201526/06/2020 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

In which Pooh teaches us how to listen to our intuition and not the rabbiting of our egos: On a foggy day, Pooh, Piglet and Rabbit were trying to find their way home, only it wasn’t going to plan… “The fact is,” said Rabbit, “we’ve missed our way somehow.” They were having a rest in… Continue reading Pooh Follows the Honey of Intuition

Astrology

How to Interpret Natal Mars

21/07/201513/07/2020 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Mars represents how you assert yourself and seek to attain your goals, as well as your energy levels, feelings of courage, strength and confidence, and sexuality. It stands for the masculine side of the psyche, and sometimes shows the father figure. Mars represents the life force – a selfish, but necessary drive to survive and… Continue reading How to Interpret Natal Mars

Book Reviews · Spirituality

The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

20/07/201502/06/2018 Jessica Davidson26 Comments

“The first time an Ashaninca man told me that he had learned the medicinal properties of plants by drinking a hallucinogenic brew, I thought he was joking. …But he was not smiling.” The Cosmic Serpent is a fascinating exploration of the links between DNA and molecular biology by anthropologist Jeremy Narby. While doing fieldwork in… Continue reading The Cosmic Serpent: DNA and the Origins of Knowledge

Astrology

How to Interpret Natal Venus

18/07/201527/09/2017 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

Venus represents how you relate and connect with others, and how you attract things you value and desire, as well as what you find attractive. It shows the need for balance, harmony and happiness, and is also linked with the arts, finances, your social life and feelings of attractiveness and sensuality. Venus by Sign The… Continue reading How to Interpret Natal Venus

Astrology

How to Interpret Natal Mercury

14/07/201527/09/2017 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

Mercury represents how you think and communicate, your mental faculties, nervous system and reactions. It also shows how you learn. Mercury is the meeting point between the Sun and the Moon, so it connects the unconscious with the conscious mind. Mercury by Sign Mercury’s sign placement shows how your mind works, how you think, learn,… Continue reading How to Interpret Natal Mercury