Abstraction opening by Autumn Stinar

An exhibit of paintings by Autumn Stinar recently opened at the Anima Gallery in Silver City. The title of the show is Abstraction, and is composed of colorful abstract oil paintings. One painting sold prior to the show, and two sold on opening night.

Autumn studied painting at the Battle Creek Art Center in Michigan, at Fountain Valley High School in Colorado Springs (where one of her paintings won an award at a show of work by students in the Colorado Springs area), and with Christin Forman Brown in Silver City. While a student at Chapman University, she was the graphic artist on a team project that won the Cecil Award for best advertising campaign of the year. She worked for a year in Hollywood at an advertising agency under a gifted and encouraging art director.

Autumn is currently focusing on painting and replacing her works as they sell. Her work may be viewed at Anima gallery at 215 Yankee, Silver City, New Mexico.

Every time I drive to Phoenix I have to stop and take a photo of an expansive view.

Yorkie Bliss

Two little yorkies have joined my family. It's a bit chilly in the morning, so a sweater is needed.

Affirmations

For a person just beginning to meditate, it can be difficult to focus the mind. Beginning with a period of Yoga postures and Yogananda's recharging exercises can be helpful. The meditation techniques taught in the correspondence course offered by Self Realization Fellowship are excellent. But for the individual without these resources, affirmations are a useful tool. After a period of stillness, a thought is spoken out loud, softer and softer, and then mentally repeated. I prefer affirmations written by Yogananda, as I want to improve my thinking. The western mind is used to thinking in words, so this technique is not foreign. You may also write the affirmation for a change of pace. Each of the Self Realization Fellowship lessons includes an affirmation. There is also a book availalbe, Scientific Healing Affirmations.
I find affirmations especially helpful when the mind is ruffled and disturbed. I recently was reading an old issue of Self Realization magazine and found an affirmation I have been using the last few months. "Joy and I are one. God and I are one in divine ecstasy. Oh infinite spirit, surcharge my body, my mind, my soul with thy heavenly bliss. Give me realization that I may consciously feel thy presence within me.
There is a lecture on affirmations by brother Anandamoy When I play the CD in my car I feel as if he were riding in the car with me. Even as adults we are influenced by our peers, and it is a privilege to have lectures that allow me to hang out with people who have many years of meditation practice and service to others as their way of life.

Wild flowers adorn the highways of New Mexico this time of year. It is especially colorful this year due to frequent rain showers.

Mule Creek, New Mexico