Well, we have come close to the end of another journey around the sun, and I wish you are not only surviving the challenges that life throws at you, but also thriving, learning and growing all the while. That is what life is meant to be about, embracing life, creating new challenges, learning, growing, having a go, never, ever giving up.
I don’t know about you, if you are a bit like me, you will not bother with creating New Year’s resolutions, which are generally made from a fear base, a mental construct, rather than a feeling and growing viewpoint and broader perspective. People seldom stick to them, and my preference is to continually work with what I need to improve upon. I do this with regular introspective processes; meditation, journaling, nightly reviews and six-monthly reports to my mentor.
Some people will resonate with the following, which I feel is worthwhile information about the end of the spiritual year and the beginning of a new one, which happens at full moon in Taurus. I hear a lot about it in between November and April, as a reminder to work on my foundations. Everyday foundational practices are important to me. They help develop beneficial, regular habits in my everyday life, which assists me develop psychological clarity.
And so, the earth and all sentient beings upon her, are on a spiritual journey, whether they, us, are aware of it or not. Testing time has begun and is completed in the spiritual realms of higher vibration, which we are not really conscious of, by the full moon in Taurus. At the end of the spiritual year we will continue on with what has arisen in our life to deal with and not fully succeeded, before going on to learning new life lessons. It is also called Wesak testing. Also it isn’t actually a fail, rather not yet ready for new things to work on.
People may be familiar with the term, either Wesak or Vesak, and you may be unaware that it is also regarded by many to be that which I am referring to, about being the end of a spiritual year and beginning of a new one. Wesak is regarded as the most important celebration on the Buddhist calendar, to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of Guatama Buddha, and will be on 23rd May next year, 2026.
This all may be new information about being tested, which is not actually a test, rather whether we have worked through our challenges and will be ready to receive new ones, or keep on with the old which needs more attention and integration. It goes on behind the scenes, as we all go through the Wesak testing, whether we are aware of it or not. We are all here together on this planet and very much for reasons which are beyond our knowing and understanding.
We do not necessarily have to believe this. Take on board what feels right and resonates with you, please do that. It may be helpful and supportive to feel that there is a plan and purpose beyond what we are aware of and if we follow the breadcrumbs, our own intuition, inner promptings, feelings or a powerful inner knowing of what to do and when to stop, all the while wishing to fulfil our purpose in life, whatever that may be.
Of course, when I am talking about a spiritual journey, or spiritual new year, I am referring to whatever your individual journey is. Every person is unique, being on a different path or journey, carving out a path, being drawn to do this or that, feeling a sense of pull of one’s direction and what is most meaningful to each unique person. I firmly believe in the benevolence of the Universe and what we put out there in our thoughts and unconscious patterns, returns to us. Positive self-talk is very important.
Religiosity is having a strong religious feeling or belief, which often changes for us as we grow, moving through the different stages of life. Religions can be amazing for people, providing meaning, hope and strong beliefs, giving structure and helping to have purpose in our lives. At times we absolutely need to believe in a religion at certain stages in our growth.
They can also be dogmatic and limiting in so many ways. We may feel to move beyond a particular religion and replace it with another, or develop our own spiritual meaning, which supports and sustains us, helping with fulfilment in the way we live our lives. People can be like that, spiritual, in so far as being kind, treating others as they would like to be treated etcetera, without considering themselves to be either a religious or spiritual person.
I started out with an intense belief in Jesus and God and over time, moved away from that, seeing that all religions held an essence of a deity and that the term we know as God, the essence of Energy which it is difficult to actually put correct wording to, is in everything. It is the basis of all life, that lives within us, as Spirit.
In a nutshell, it is absolutely brilliant when we do have a strong belief structure which is supportive and can give us purpose, meaning, hope, understanding, compassion, many, many positive qualities. I could probably add here that all religions have all types of individuals as members, light and dark in essence. Not something we can box up neatly and tie with a bow. Being involved in religions can assist and it is not right or wrong. It is also not right or wrong to feel we need to move away and experience something else. It is imperative to do so. Or not, whatever the case may be.
People can live beautiful, spiritual lives, without ever going to a church or mosque, surviving as best they can, developing inner strength and evolving as timely as it happens for them. We do not need to compare ourselves with anyone else, because we are so very unique and even in every moment, we can be different. There is no need for judgment, right or wrong. It is as it is. An unfortunate aspect about all this conversation is that so often, when we do not have firm foundational beliefs, we blame God or whatever, other people and live life feeling a victim to life, instead of contributing to our karma.
It is best for us if we can move through the experiences that life brings us gracefully, growing, improving, learning and developing new strategies, ways of living, coming to heartfelt, genuine purpose and understanding of the essence of it all. What is life really, actually about?
We may never really know that answer. Without any doubt, the main goal is to do our best and live one day, an hour, minute or moment, to the best of our ability. It is impossible to separate ourselves from being involved as we are, and I speak in general. You probably get what I mean, we live and come from different countries, cultures, families, work situations; some are set when we are born. We have genetics and are conditioned right from the moment we are born. As the saying goes, ‘no man is an island’, as we are influenced by innumerable things in our lifetime.
Maybe that is more than enough blah, blah, blah. Getting down to tin tacks, and this is my firm belief, we are here to do our best, to embrace life and the living, to grow, evolve, have experiences, learn from them. We are meant to have challenges on a daily basis and if we are not moving forward, we are going backwards, devolving. We can’t stay the same, stagnate, if not moving forward, then we go backwards.
Nature is a wonderful support to us of course and honouring one’s physical body, not trying to get out of earthly life and all it means, escaping off into our minds, wishing things were better, floating off, not being grounded and present.
It is up to us what we put into it and if we need help. Then we can hand up for support and opportunities to grow, do better, feel joy and become involved. Artistic endeavours can give us this feeling of spiritual connection with our own spiritual essence and soul. Some people say they are not creative but I reckon we all are. It can be as simple as the way you might dish up dinner. I tend to chuck it onto a plate and my daughter is very artistic, serving it up a beautifully presented meal.
We need to take our time with things, be present in the moment and go slow. When I am painting or writing words on my rocks, it feels so different when I do as they say in Zentangle drawing ‘one stroke at a time’. It is a way of being mindful. It helps the concentration and outcome of what I am doing by not rushing.
Are you rushing? Perhaps there is a limit to how you can slow down, as life is challenging for people who still go out to work and juggle family, interests and responsibilities. Some are carers or looking after family members with disabilities. We can still practice meditation, overlay it with what we do, come from a calm, anxiety free inner state of being, as far as possible in the circumstances.
Whatever floats your boat I say. No judgment on ourselves or others. It is not kind to judge, whether it is aimed towards others or in self-talk or feelings. Change that inner critic into an inner coach and give yourself a break. Allow time to rest and recuperate, without lapsing into laziness. That is not recommended and being in a human body, our human likes the easy way out, to have pleasure and not do more than is necessary. Take my advice and guard against that. Find something of interest, a passion, as I spoke of last time, that is all engrossing.
And as always, I come back to how laughter yoga can help you. All the benefits, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually can be enhanced from the practice of laughing and not taking oneself so seriously. We are all in this together and are like herd animals, packs, who are meant to socialise and belong together in various groups. Belonging gives meaning and loads of support. When we have a cuppa after laughter club, it is a chance to share something of what we have been doing with others who sit at the table together. Some members from time to time catch up with each other, even ones who have left the group, still stay in touch.
Attending regularly in itself takes some discipline, to come along, as a priority for one’s health and wellbeing. There are regular members and others who only come occasionally. It is a joy to share with you and others and you are all welcome whenever you can make it, as there isn’t a requirement to be regular. Things do come up which prevent us from coming and like everything, it is easy to put off attending, so your choice about if and when you can get there.
At the same time, we can give in and not come, when it is the ego wanting things easy. For instance, when it is cold, wet and windy. We rug up, are fortunate to have protection behind the Ferntree Gully Library or on the new, fantastic rotunda and feel invigorated from the fresh air and the laughter activities which we do outside. I once would not venture out into the cold and avoided the rain. Nowadays, I do not mind at all and it is rather stimulating. It’s great to catch up with each other too and really, really, wonderful to have new people joining us and sharing that the results last for a few days. Laughter yoga is energising and highly therapeutic. Definitely!
Deep thanks too to Ajne, the Ferntree Gully Library Team Leader, for supports us with running monthly laughter yoga sessions. These are 2pm on the 4th Tuesday of the month, between February and November. (Not December or January). Just book with the library first as they keep track of it.
Laughter yoga is something which can help your overall wellbeing, when we laugh a lot, taking ourselves lightly, things happen, we feel more connected with our spirituality, which is relevant in this otherwise heavy discourse.
Regarding Wesak testing and self monitoring. My suggestion, dear reader, is to sit quietly and feel into your life, with the intention of receiving some insightful guidance from within yourself, or if you have a teacher, reflections from that person.
I like to meditate and journal, often as a nightly review, going over the day and seeing how I went, what I could do better next time, some quiet time to be and go deeper. We can most likely be more proactive and begin to take the reigns of the horse, or life, we are riding, replacing passivity. Or the oars of our boat, guiding the direction where we wish to be heading and come up with plans to get more out of life, to feel closer to the God (replace with your own word) who made us, with gratitude to Mother Earth, of whom we are a physical part of. Yes, we must honour our physical body, through which our soul and spirit express itself and is able to guide us along our pathway.
I now acknowledge my spiritual teachers, who support and mentor me, leading lovingly and by example, being a few steps ahead, as we all are, a few steps ahead or behind each other, supporting, loving, interacting and bringing more kindness into the world and with each other. One heart at a time, it helps bring more light into the world.
God bless and wishing you well. Let me know how this sits with you please, if you feel to. Sending you love and encouragement. Lynette xo
When we meet and contact information
The Ferntree Gully Laughter Club meets behind the Ferntree Gully Library at 11am on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month and inside the Ferntree Gully Library on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2pm. We return in February and you can register with the library.
First timers, please contact me, Lynette in case of a meeting change, and if you would like to receive updates in my email newsletter, or the email reminder when the laughter club is on next. You may like to join the Ferntree Gully Laughter Club Facebook group.
Cheerio for now and be kind to yourself. Lots of Love, Laughter and Blessings. Lynette Mitchell.
Phone: 0425 799 258
Ferntree Gully Library: 9800 6455
Email: lynette@laughterforliving.com.au
Website: www.laughterforliving.com.au