I pray for peace
I pray for love
I pray for you.
I pray for health
I pray for wealth
I pray for you.
I pray for harmony
I pray for strength
I pray for you.
I pray for this world
I pray for our family
I pray for you.
I pray for clear vision, unbounded courage,
and an open heart
I pray for who we truly are in the light of life,
and who we can be – even here, even now
I pray for you.
I pray for you
I pray for me
I pray.
Aliana Alani (c) 2013
Within this world of sun and shade, sol y sombre,
reside magical moments, the duende of life.
Often tucked within the cloak of contrasts and opposites,
sometimes hidden from conscious view,
they hover like resonant keys
to golden doors
of long awaited stories.
Available to each and every one of us if we will but listen
and then dare –
to taste the fruit of their knowing,
drink from their cup of unlimited possibility,
luxuriate in creation’s abundance,
and know it to be our own.
Aliana Alani (c) 2013
There has never been a better time to come home to The Garden of Love.
OVER THE COMING YEAR, I will be creating a series of paintings: small snapshots lush with colour and light guided by inner wisdom and brushed with the blessings that come from the inner garden.
DONE IN ACRYLIC (perhaps with a dusting of beads), each painting will be a segment of the delicious beauty that is The Garden. Some will be floral. Others may follow pathways or rippling pools, stately trees or even a view across vast waters. Some may contain portals. Others, faces. All will be rather surreal. Many will also carry within a touch of sacred geometry – a gateway to the Heart of The Garden – done primarily in white & gold.
THE INTENT IS to create both visual beauty and deep inner resonance connected directly to The Garden of Life, and hence of Love. So that whenever you view it, somewhere within your heart is touched and a door opens. You breathe the sacred breath of The Garden, and smile.
YOU CAN EASILY HAVE one of these paintings, either by buying one of the originals as they become available, or by having one commissioned specifically for you.
If this interests you, email me at: aliana@22shangrila.com.
Enjoy the day!
“Where is God?” The weary man asked.
“God is everywhere.” Answered the boy.
“But how do you know?
“Because I see you.”
I am the drop in the ocean.
I am the sea and the wave.
I am the sky and the starlight.
I am the weak and the brave.
I am the moment before you.
I am the time when you’re gone.
I am the breath when it enters.
I am the world’s sacred song.
I am the heart of all matter.
I am the dance of all life.
I am the love that lingers
Midst the chords of everyday strife.
I am You.
Aliana Alani ©2013
Elijah Harper left us today.
Ojibwa-Cree Red Sucker Land band member – former Chief – NDP opposition member of the Manitoba Legislature from 1981-1992, he will be forever remembered as the man who stood against the Meech Lake Constitutional Accord in 1990.
Sitting quietly in his legislature seat, holding a single Eagle feather, he appeared to be a lone wolf who actually represented many. One word was repeatedly what he brought forth – “No”. It was that No that would stall the process and it was that No that ultimately scuttled the Meech Lake Accord. He said the deal ignored aboriginal rights and so he could not vote for it. There too he appeared to be a lone wolf. One can only imagine the pressure.
For many Canadians today, Elijah Harper is probably but a fleeting memory. For the very young, perhaps no memory at all. Do we teach that moment of history in our schools today? I do not know. What I do know is this. Looking to that time, there was nothing so profoundly powerful an image as Elijah Harper in his legislature chair with his 
Eagle feather and his serene dignity refusing to bend to the tide. That image swept across the nation and touched the hearts of many. No matter your politics, then or now, it cannot be ignored that Elijah Harper brought honour to the political landscape of our country. We could use more like him.
I am not First Nations. I have not had the privilege of walking that road, at least not in this lifetime, so there is no way I can truly know what it must have felt like, for him or for the First Nations people, then or now. What I can reflect on is the enormous pride he brought to many. There stood a man of integrity willing to fight, oh so quietly, for what he believed in. He was a member of our human family who just happened to call Canada, home.
As you read the biographies, you come to know that Elijah Harper was not without his frailties. There too he was one of us, perfect in his imperfections.
Bless you, Elijah. You were an inspiration.
May your journey home be a gentle one.
We are grateful.
Life is a series of moments. Precious pearls dashed along the shores of our hearts. They can get buried by the sands of time or cherished by the light of love.
Love each as if it was the door to infinity. Walk their roads with delicious delight. Lo and behold, soon your garden of life will flourish beyond measure.
A few years ago when I was still living in Ireland, I was gifted the opportunity of listening to Richie Havens play in a concert in Cork City. In truth I had gone mostly to hear the warm-up act, a wonderful singer/songwriter by the name of Don Mescall who I had briefly gotten to know. Of course I had heard of Richie and like many growing up in North America had at one point or another seen the iconic documentary, Woodstock. But that’s as far as it had gotten.
I was unprepared for the sheer power and beauty of this man’s performance. For almost three hours, he wrapped us in the warmth of his heart and talent. He had more energy than you could possibly imagine and he took that energy and generously gave it to us so that by the end of that evening we were all inspired, delighted, and at moments, yes perhaps a bit blown away by the incredible power of word and image and song that he invoked. Later he sat in the lobby of the theatre and graciously signed CD after CD to a line of fans long and winding. His patience impressed.
I read online today in one of what will surely be many articles about the man that at some point he was quoted as saying, “I’m not in show business, I’m in the communications business”. I can acknowledge the truth of that. From my perspective and experience of his music, Richie Havens knew with each concert he gave (perhaps even with each song he wrote) that he had an opportunity to, for a brief moment, lift the spirits of those around him and open their hearts just a little more. I sense he recognized that in doing so each of us might become more inspired within to envision and create a more loving and beautiful world. For me, that was often the message within his songs and his life.
A day later I got to meet him again while visiting Don at his family’s home. Richie and the band dropped by. It was an easy effortless sitting around chatting on a sunny Cork day. The man exuded both gentleness, kindness, and a beautiful depth of spirit. I consider it an honour to have met him.
So here’s to you, Richie Havens – fly high and free, soar with the angels, sing with the heavens. We are all blessed to have had you with us. Your music lives on.
Namaste
YES, IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN – EARTH DAY – APRIL 22ND, the day each year when many stop to ponder this amazing planet of ours. Some wax poetic about its beauty, speaking eloquently of tall majestic pines or towering mountains, soft sweet perfumed breezes and rippling waters, the cooing of birds or the click-clack of dolphins, or the green grass of home. Others plant trees and talk of needed conservation. Some meditate, perhaps along a cliff top near an ocean, and feel the breath of life saunter through their souls with the intonation of each crashing wave.
WE LIVE IN PARADISE and once a year we collectively try to remember that.
SO HERE’S A CRAZY THOUGHT. What if each day when we opened our eyes and looked around, we perceived only the magnificence of life on earth in its myriad of forms, celebrated its exquisite delicious beauty, saw that beauty in ourselves as well, and in our heart of hearts gave profound gratitude for the opportunity of being a part of this, the Garden of Life and Love.
And then, like the great creators and storytellers we truly are, danced its dance with pure abandon and joy!
Imagine what our world might be like then.
Aloha Namaste Blessings
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
PS – That picture in the middle? Those are young elephant seals you’re looking at, on land and in the water!
HEAVEN IS WHERE YOU ARE
22shangrila 