Meditation Informs Healing Facilitation

Hello Dear Ones,

Just in case you missed the two previous recordings of New Moon discussions, here are link:

New Moon in Sagittarius (and Mars square Neptune): https://astrodharma.me/2022/11/22/recording-of-sag-new-moon-discussion/

New Moon in Scorpio (and Mars Retrograde) discussion: https://astrodharma.me/2022/10/24/new-moon-in-scorpio-presentation/

Hope you enjoy!

We will not be doing a New Moon discussion for December because of the holidays. We will resume in January however.

Thank you for joining us!

Kirby Moore and the Trauma Informed Astrology team

As we get older, it’s normal to feel adrift – by the age of 40, our routines can begin to feel stale, and our lives feel unfulfilled. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can reconnect with your best self and find gratitude – here are a few to consider.

Body

When our bodies change, we should try to change with them. That means working harder to eat well, keeping up fitness, and ensuring healthy circadian rhythms.

Diet: It’s difficult to overstate the importance of a balanced diet. Eating fresh, nourishing foods will improve every aspect of your being, from your energy levels to your work performance. When possible, try to substitute red meats for plant-based proteins, and don’t be afraid to branch out to new recipes that make use of a wider range of ingredients.

Exercise: An unfortunate truth about growing older is that we lose our youthful athleticism. You may be surprised, however, by how much you’re still capable of with enough hard work – try to incorporate light exercise into your routine whenever possible, making use of downtime by walking or cycling, then working your way up into more strenuous activities.

Sleep: Most of us don’t get enough of it, and yet sleep is amongst the most important factors when it comes to our well-being. If you struggle with symptoms of insomnia, you can help yourself by creating the right conditions for restful sleep in advance of bedtime – that means swapping screens for books, drinking plenty of water, and reducing caffeine intake.

Mind

The way we think, our philosophies, and our moods can all be adjusted for improved focus, calm, and contentness. Rather than thinking about what could be different in your life, think about changes you can make in your mental approach.

Astrology: With guidance, it’s possible to develop core techniques and utilize astrology to address issues you might have with your nervous system or thought patterns. A free 25-minute consultation can help you decide if the program is right for you.

Meditation: There are multiple forms of meditation, each with its own techniques and advantages. Take some time to learn about how these can help you to improve concentration, reduce anxiety and help control your breathing.

Gardening: We rarely think of gardening as a method for improving mental stability, but there is evidence to suggest that getting out in the yard is good for both body and mind. To learn more about useful gardening products and advice, click here.

Career

For many of us, a mid-life crisis is linked to work. When we’re spending 40+ hours of our week doing something you don’t believe in or enjoy, we shouldn’t be surprised if we begin to feel despondent. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to transition into a more suitable position.

Relearning: If you don’t already have the skill to pursue the line of work you’d like to, there is the option of going back to school. Online degree programs make it easy to study whilst working full-time – you can earn a bachelor’s degree in business in a matter of weeks, for example, all remotely. Just be certain to check the credentials of your chosen institution and compare their tuition rates.

Entrepreneurship: Alternatively, you may want to take your knowledge and apply it to a business of your own. In the startup economy, it’s easier than ever to fund your enterprise. You can start by researching business structures – a Limited Liability Company (LLC), for example, will benefit from reduced personal liability, tax advantages, and less paperwork. Each state has different regulations around forming an LLC, so be sure to enlist a formation service to help you understand these and save on lawyer fees.

Just because we’re growing older doesn’t mean we have to compromise on happiness. There are plenty of healthy and exciting lifestyle changes you can use to offset the monotony of mid-life – all it takes is willpower and an open mind.

Written by Camille Johnson, guest writer

If you are interested in long distance nervous system repair work, you can see more of what Kirby Moore offers by visiting www.mkirbymoore.com or for a dynamic new take on Western Astrology visit: http://www.traumainformedastrology.com

Thank you for visiting!

Hello All,

I am wrapping up my trip to Hawaii today – heading to the airport in a couple hours.

As I jot down whatever comes to mind here, I want to say thank you for following along. If you want, you can go back and view previous posts I believe by scrolling down.

I say the Nervous System comes first, because it is only when we feel truly supported, and resourced that we can come out of our shell. When we work on our nervous systems – integrating, repairing, allowing the dust to settle, and healing old wounds (which often requires working with a skillful practitioner), only then can we feel safe enough to move toward spontaneity, joy, ease, humor, and playfulness.

If we feel defended all the time, rigid or braced for the other shoe to drop, then how can we truly be our full selves? We must establish and cultivate the inner feeling of safety first. Then we can explore resources, we can get in touch with our authentic needs and desires, we can start to listen to what our hearts and bodies actually need.

By the way, I offer individual sessions – both in-person and over distance. You can see more at http://www.mkirbymoore.com or at http://www.traumainformedastrology.com Let me know if you want to set up a free 25 min chat to see if we would be a good fit to work together!

Having spent two weeks in Hawaii now, the first week partially on my own, and the second week with family, I am more aware than ever that my support systems and comfort zone is in Virginia (my home for the past 30+ years). My friends and safe supportive people are there. And that is vitally important.

I have definitely enjoyed my time in Hawaii. I did some amazing adventures both on the Big Island and here on Oahu – snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, volcano watching, feeling the sand between my toes, hiking, sight seeing, communing with wisdom beings, and more!

It was nice to see family, to have a place to land on Oahu. It is actually good (if not comfortable), for me to check on my rough edges when I am around family. You know the saying – “If you think you are enlightened, go visit your parents.” Thankfully I think more and more families are moving toward health and well-being and this statement may not have the same meaning much longer.

And spending time with my people is just as, if not more important than any of that. Who has my back? If I am in distress, who shows up for me? That is how we can know if someone is really supportive of us. Of course, I have to feel safe enough to show my distress or to ask for help. And then who follows through? Who says they will help and actually shows up?

I am working on courses for my Trauma Informed Astrology project. And I am currently looking at how a settled resourced nervous system is required to do authentic spiritual practice. We must build a solid foundation. If I have serious neuroses – high anxiety, panic issues, big fear, paranoia, etc, do I really think I can authentically meditate? No, probably not. First, I must move to greater stability inside – which means resourcing and repairing the nervous system.

I have done a good job of keeping my nervous system happy here in the Islands. Morning practice has been Dharma or yoga. That feeds me. But being in a safe, loving community keeps those good vibes going – much easier than having to hold resources on my own. Far too many people I think, are straining and struggling to hold themselves up. They don’t realize that all they have to do is ask. Ask for support, ask for consensual caring touch, (I need a hug!), ask for what you need. And if you are not able to get it, maybe you aren’t asking the right people. Or you need to look at your own ability to receive.

May we let go into the knowingness of love and clarity and big spacious compassion. I want to surrender to that.

I wish that everyone finds their people, their tribe, their support team. And then explores the possibility of leaning into that support!

Thank you for reading!

Wish me luck please on my trip back East, to Virginia.

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Going back to yesterday… Sunday.

I went to church with my father, but arrived an hour early. I hadn’t done Dharma practice yet, so it was quite interesting practicing in the small Episcopal sanctuary (St. Luke’s on Judd St.). This was a church where I spent some time in the past – I went to preschool there, 40 & 41 years ago. Plus my Dad had an apartment there for a few years, so I was also there for a couple of summers when I was in elementary school.

Doing refuge practice (Buddhist) in an Episcopal church can be insightful. There was a lot of light around me. I am a mystic btw… I was not hallucinating – or at least not in a negative manner (you will see what I’m talking about). In my healing and emotional-process-oriented bodywork practice, I occasionally have guides or wisdom beings show up – usually they are associated with my clients. I can sometimes ask these beings questions and get answers for my clients (if appropriate). Jesus (as healer and Bodhisattva) shows up quite a bit, along with Aslan (the Lion from the Chronicles of Narnia). And they both were with me while I did practice and meditation in this church.

So I am sitting in a pew, doing refuge mantras, Jesus is sitting next to me, and Aslan is behind me, lying down by the door. Wow! I did not expect that. I did a quick version of practice, because I didn’t have a text with me, and because my Dad was going to come in and start practicing the organ. In just 30 minutes, I was easily able to connect to the natural light of that space.

I should mention that I was baptized Catholic originally, then raised Episcopalian and Presbyterian. And then in 2004 I met my first Tibetan Lamas, feeling a curious connection there. And in 2006, I took refuge and Bodhisattva vows from Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen in Maryland. At that point, I renounced any commitment I had previously made to practice Christianity. Although, really, how much commitment can a baby make when they (she / he) are being baptized at 3 or 6 months old?!

With that said however, I realized that I do kind of hold two lineages – one from a Christian background, and the second from years of practicing Tibetan Buddhism and learning the Tibetan language. Obviously, the latter is closer to my heart. But Jesus never left me. And apparently, neither did Aslan.

Then I went across the street to a large cemetery. After the experience in the church, this was a curious experience too. There were many birds – and different types. In fact, I even saw a tree full of these green parrot looking birds – they are an invasive species – the Rose-Winged Parakeet. But they are fun to gaze at! I did wonder if any of these birds (not just the parakeets) were actually local spirits. I got that feeling.

Then I came to a grave of one of the last Ali’i – or Hawaiian Royal Family members – who died in 1928: Princess Elizabeth Keka’aniau La’anui. Yes, distant relatives of King Kamehameha still survive to this day, but this grave was fancy – black granite with gold lettering. Plus there were intricate offerings placed around the foot of it. I should have gotten a picture. There was a lava rock bowl with fruit in it, several tea leaves wrapped around offerings (I’m assuming food?), and several flower leis. I knew immediately that this was not the grave of an ordinary person. When I read the epitaph inscription, I knew that these offerings are / were still being made to the Royal ancestors. And I seemed to have the feeling that (not knowing at the time), that there were other Royal ancestors buried nearby.

Later, I asked my father, who is a historian, where the Kamehameha’s are buried. King Kamehameha the II, III, and IV are all buried in the Royal Mausoleum, which sure enough, is just a few blocks away from the cemetery, where the High Chiefess is buried (where I was having those intuitions).

Then I went to church (happy to hear my father play the organ and piano, basically to support him), where the elderly congregation were very warm and welcoming, the pastor welcomed me and asked about my family and my niece. It was quite sweet! I love small churches – little sanctuaries with a history of devoted and faithful practitioners. And for a brief morning half-hour, it was quite an interesting (Buddhist) shrine room as well!

Many blessings!

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Hello Dear Ones,

I woke up this morning (on Oahu) to exciting news that Mauna Loa – the largest volcano in the world (from a certain perspective) – was erupting! It has been swelling with lava for the past few years and since September, there have been thousands of micro-earthquakes. So people knew the eruption was coming – they just weren’t sure if it was weeks, months or years. Turned out to be weeks!

So I am safe. I’m on a different island from the volcano. We might see some volcanic fog (vog) here on Oahu. But we are about 200 miles away.

The crazy thing is that I was just there (on the Big Island). I spent three nights in Ocean View – a fascinating neighborhood on the south-western part of the island, and I went swimming in Miloli’i (a village about 30 miles south of Kona). At present, they don’t know if or when or where the lava will go. (Some eruptions just stay up near the summit.) But it is possible the eruption might affect the areas where I spent some time. I pray no one has to evacuate, but obviously those people need to have a plan in place and be prepared!

I drove over the Saddle Road (see my previous posts) just 5 days ago, on my way to the Hilo airport. And from there, I was a mere few miles from Mauna Loa’s summit. It did feel eerily quiet while I was up there. And some locals knew it might erupt soon. I mentioned how the USGS site had said an eruption was not imminent, but they countered saying, “the mountain is swelling with lava – it might erupt soon!” They were obviously right.

I will get back to my regular journaling of my adventures in the next post.

Thanks for following along!

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Hello Dear Ones,

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Hawaii adventures. I plan to post pictures soon.

Yesterday I was on the bus for a long time. Going up to the North Shore also means stopping at a dozen stops in Kaneohe, and then another twenty stops on the way up the coast.

The Kamehameha Highway is endangered. Parts of it are just ten feet from the ocean, and with the high, choppy sea, sand and debris washed over the road. And as we waited for the road cleaning crews to allow us to pass, the bus was actually splashed by waves several times! Whoa! (If there were a serious storm, that road would be under water…) It sounds like the Dept of Transportation in Hawaii is trying to figure out how to raise the road or protect it. The sooner the better I say – otherwise those road crews will be out there on a monthly or weekly basis.

Arriving at Sunset Beach, the potency of the ocean was obvious. The surf was easily 12 – 20 feet high near the shore, and the waves were even higher further out. I was surprised that several brave surfers were out in the massive swells, but of course, that is the best surfing! I was thinking how those surfers have to be strong and flexible, to feel the waves and go with the flow. That is quite an art – not just surviving on a 20 foot wave, but thriving! Wow!

On the bus ride back from Haleiwa (another hour and a half to downtown Honolulu), I got to thinking about what is coming next for me.

Surfing the waves of change. My yoga practice has come to fruition. Along with my ability to teach nervous system repair, Western Astrology, and emotional-process-oriented bodywork. I see myself traveling more to offer workshops and classes. Even though I would love nothing more than to stay quietly at home, serenely doing my practice, I also need to pay my bills. And doing that with right livelihood is important to me. Benefiting others in the process – even better!

I see myself traveling to India and / or Nepal or Ladakh in the upcoming year. Visiting friends, visiting monasteries, visiting holy sites, giving my Dharma practice a nice boost. And then I’m not sure where I will end up. I would love to have most of my income be online, meaning I don’t need a physical office. My office will be my heart, my hands, wherever I am, I can be of service to others. (Wouldn’t that be nice!)

To be honest, Charlottesville is losing some of its appeal. It held me for a number of years. And then I endured a terrible and traumatizing betrayal in 2020. Since then, it feels like Central Virginia is spitting me out. Or encouraging me to spread my wings or to exercise my fins. Why swim in a tiny pond, when there is this vast beautiful ocean available?

We will see what is around the corner. Some things I am keeping to myself until my knowing is certain. No need to go diluting our dreams (our seeds) before they even start to come to fruition (to grow). At the moment, this is all I can share, and really all I know.

Thank you for your support through this evolving process!

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Hello Dear Ones,

I am on Oahu now. Different vibes than southern Hawai’i (the Big Island). Oahu (the entire island) has close to a million people on it. The Big Island just has one tenth of that population on a much larger island. So I am feeling this population density, considering I am staying with family in a condo in downtown Honolulu.

There is a reason Chi Kung practitioners aim to leave cities to find the best practice sites. I have heard people say that quiet beaches, remote mountains and woods are best (think remote destinations unsullied by dense populations of humans). I have found that the energy (the Chi / Qi, lifeforce energy, connecting with Mother Earth) feels better on the Windward side of Oahu, or the North Shore – there are less people there. And the protected watershed rainforest is closer to civilization over there.

Today I am intending to go up to the North Shore. There are supposed to be 20 – 30 foot waves. There is a low pressure system sitting off to the north, stirring things up.

It should be interesting! There will probably be large crowds though, as this only happens once or twice a month. I doubt there will be surfers, but we will see (they would be out there in the summer for sure).

May I realize that I am merely a wave, and not forget that I am apart of a great ocean!

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen

Hello Dear Ones,

I led a discussion on the Sagittarius New Moon on Monday (moon day) and recorded it. If you are looking for that, scroll down to the previous post!

In the meantime, continuing my adventures in Hawaii… to see the previous posts (parts one thru seven), scroll down further.

Yesterday I pretty much took it easy. I overdid it on Monday – snorkeling in two places, having good discussions on healing and the nervous system and spirituality, then leading the astrology discussion was a lot. I did go snorkeling around Kona bay in the afternoon. That was great! I was surprised that the greatest diversity of fish were around the bay (which includes many boats coming and going).

Waking up early this morning, I did some refuge practice, and then got ready. I was quite happy that I was packed and out the door at 7:15 am! I had to do this as my flight left Hilo at 11 am. Although because it was just an inter-island flight, I could have left a little later and been fine.

Today I drove over the saddle – the nearly 7,000 foot ridge between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa (the two 14,000 footers on the Big Island). The Saddle Road is much improved – 15 years ago, it was practically one-lane. Today it is two and three lanes the entire way with wide shoulders. Basically it cut the drive from Kona to Hilo down to 90 minutes! Before, you wouldn’t consider taking the Saddle Road unless you were driving up to Mauna Kea’s summit.

Plus the landscape and the spectacular views from up there are well worth the drive. Coming up from Kona, you get to see Hualalai – a nearly 8,000 footer near Kona, and off in the distance, there are the Kohala mountains to the north (more of a lump compared to the two 14’s), and there are awesome views of the ocean as you drive up. Then you get closer to Mauna Kea and can easily see Mauna Loa in the distance.

Today the clouds were wispily moving through the recreation area up there. It was deceptively chilly – I put on a sweater and was glad I did when a gust came through. Then on my way down from the saddle, I stopped a couple times and the telescope observatories on Mauna Kea were visible through and above the clouds.

Then flying from Hilo to Oahu. That was nice in that I sat on the correct side of the plane – I got to see Maui (and Haleakala just barely poking up through the white blanket of clouds), Lana’i, Molokai and a distance glimpse of the Honolulu and Waikiki skyline before turning to land.

So this evening is rest and recovery. All these transitions wreak a bit of havoc on my nervous system. I need to walk around barefoot and let my body know that I have arrived in a new location (my birthplace in fact).

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving with family. I will see if I can get in an early swim and more delicious sunlight!

Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Kirby Moore

konchog chakchen