"Though I do not believe a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders." 

Henry D. Thoreau's Faith in a Seed

It is the New Year. We all know about New Year’s resolutions and how short-lived they can be... so the invitation for this time together is to take this new beginning as an opportunity to look closely at how we have been living our lives. What if we just had just one more year to live? Would we be spending our time in the same way? Seeing the same people? Same job? Relationship? 

During this time together we will mediate, explore and reflect on what really matters. Considering what are the seeds we want to plant and nourish longer term so life can be more fulfilling and aligned with our own truth, our own life. 

Becoming aware of intention is the key to awakening in moment-to-moment practice. A long-term intention is also called a vow or dedication. Setting a long-term intention is like setting the compass of our heart. No matter how rough the storms, how difficult the terrain, even if we have to backtrack around obstacles, our direction is clear. The fruits of dedication are visible in the best of human endeavors.

T

Isabel Fleury is a licensed psychologist in Brazil where she kept a private practice and worked in clinical and institutional settings. She moved to the United States in 2007, working to deepen her experience at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. She continues to work in Big Sur, the Monterey bay where Isabel leads groups at treatment centers, sees private clients and guides classes in Insight meditation, Yin Yoga, and Buddhist philosophy and practice. Drawn to deep self-exploration at a young age, Isabel’s approach to practice is a combination of her life-long studies: Clinical and Jungian/Archetypal Psychology, Buddhism, Insight Meditation and Yin Yoga.