I read the book, “Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy”. The author describes a state of being known as tapas. Tapas is allowing yourself to feel and embrace pain. This acceptance of pain can cause feelings of ecstasy, when we do not try to avoid or escape it. The author, Georg Fueurstein, also relates tapas to some women in childbirth.

I have been doing rak sharki (belly dance) for a year now. I actually had my first performance  on April 30th. Since  then, I have had two other performances. My second performance was at a Professor Griff fundraiser. He lost 90% of his belongings in a house fire, unfortunately. Next Sunday is another performance. There have been times when this dance has brought out my sorrows, others times it has allowed my bliss to shine through.  This is a sacred dance. I dance led by the womb. When our wombs have a lot of inhibitions we try to hide her physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  When doing belly dance, women and the womb flow freely.

The American ideal of beauty is not always very beautiful. Many styles of Western dress are so constrictive. The clothes sometimes stick to the body. They scream, " hide your feminine energies and powers, stay put"! Mother womb energy is basically under arrest. Colors are sometimes drab and very controlled. Many of the clothing designers are men, LOL. I sometimes look at women of so-called third world countries. They maybe be taking a trip to buy some goods. But their clothes are bright and vibrant. The fabrics are beautiful. In the West, women sometimes need to have a reason to feel beautiful. But, I don’t want it to have to be a so-called special day to be a vessel of the goddess. I love having a womb. I do not want to be a man, nor do I want to have my expression of beauty designed or fashioned by a man.

Go ahead to the grocery store, looking like the goddess you are!

Iya Raet
www.afrikanparenting.com

The first day of Spring my son and I juiced together. We did so today, too. We have not juiced in a while. I finally got around to replacing my juicer last week. The soon emergence of spring called upon me and I now have a new juicer. Spring is a time of renewal. When the Winter Solstice came I sowed my seeds. I threw away a lot of the garbage I accumulated from the summer and fall. Garbage both physical and emotional. Spring is here and I am ready to see the fruits and flowers that I planted. I am flowering and feel anew. What is better than a green drink when you are budding and all is budding around you? This morning’s juice consisted of 3 apples, 1 bunch of kale, 2 carrots, and 1 celery stick. LIVE FOODS IS LIVING, LIVE! My son wanted to add this is very healfy for me, LOL.

Have a happy, abundant, and live Spring!

www.afrikanparenting.com

Iya Raet