.CD's for Peace and Wellbeing.

                                                              

The Oasis way of life is based on a simple pattern of living that believes
 in living life as peacefully, happily and freely as possible.
It believes too that if we can enter a more spiritual dimension , lessening the emphasis on the materialistic approach to life that so often dominates,  and finding a more balanced pattern, -then we are able to draw on a supply of energy that really animates us because it is the very Spirit of a Life flowing through us.

 We begin to see more clearly, live more lovingly and fully, and start to find a real happiness and peace.
              The CD's below are based on this approach,
and they offer a simple but deep experience of relaxation to inspire a feeling of peace and wellbeing.

I offer four CD'S each approximately half an hour long, and you can interchange them daily if you wish.They lead with gently spoken words through a relaxation, deep breathing, visualisation and meditation programme that is simple but deep.

Try to find a quiet time when you can release your mind a little from some of

the jumble of daily thoughts and activities.

If you have a space that is uncluttered ,simple and with soft lighting,-maybe candlelight,-this is great.

Wear comfortable loose clothing----then you are ready to begin. As you listen

your conscious mind will relax, opening you up to a deeper level, and

a receptive meeting with your soul where you can find true peace.

A suggested price for each CD is  €10  or you can have a set of four for €35.

Postage is included in the cost.

 You can use the Paypal donate button on the sidebar.

 If you do this, please Email me also with the title(s)

you have chosen.

If you live in Malta you can Email me and collect the CD from the studio or flat.

Also if you are interested in small group sessions of guided

 relaxation/meditation evenings , or have friends who might be interested,-let me know.  

I do hope you find the CD's helpful and inspiring if you use them.

  Maureen.

Try to clear your head a little from some of the jumble of daily activities and thoughts,

wear loose, comfortable clothing,------and you are ready to begin.

Oasis paintings for peace and wholehealth.

To see the range of  current paintings please visit my website.

http://www.maureenhughes.artspan.com/

The Oasis is all about a way of life that attempts to be self-sufficient

through  simple holistic living and a desire to help people to

feel a sense of well-being and peace.

Being creative is so much a part of this way of life so I paint to use

my own creative talent and offer the paintings as a source of enjoyment and relaxation. Their main purpose is  to offer a sense of vibrancy, animation,

colour and peace,-paintings to uplift the spirit.

They are too a way by which I can develop The Oasis in a self sufficient way.

I also offer a small range of CD's for relaxation and meditation-- please feel free to be in touch about these.

The Oasis evenings work with donations, ---with the paintings I suggest a price

that allows for flexibility depending on the circumstances.

If you look at my website and like a particular painting

I 'd love to hear from you  through the blog comment facility or by Email

so that we can discuss the cost, then if you feel happy about this

you can use the donate button on the side bar  here for payment.

I hope you enjoy looking at them.

Maureen.

OASIS NEWSLETTER-AUTUMN 2010

If you would like to receive the  Oasis newsletter  each quarter and upcoming events please Email me. 

The Oasis is based on a vision of Love that is very clear and simple.  
 It proposes a life-style that is very simple so that people can feel free and happy
and full of life, following a simple approach that is motivated by love.
            So The Oasis vision foresees a point where people will move together lovingly
in a social interaction that lets them provide each other with a livelihood that is stable and protected.
            The Oasis settlement ofcourse requires people to opt out of their present life-style to commit to a life-style that preserves an integrity as a community, and this will indeed happen.
           It will happen very simply because several people will move together in a new enlightened approach, and will live and love together with a desire to opt out of a materialistic emphasis and place their emphasis on a life-style that provides each other with everyhing needed to live peacefully and simply.
           Here they will grow in health and well-being, knowing that they are able to use a simple energising system that is based on a fusion of natural/supernatural energy and they will flourish here most productively.
          The Oasis vision is my appreciation of Mary's explanation to myself- so I move forward with its guidance, trying to base my own life on the principles she sets down, knowing that if I can achieve this she will move me constantly and precisely into this community life-style that I wish to live as freely and happily as possible.
                                                                  Maureen.

Silver twilight-----

As I move through each day I am increasingly learning to  nurture

those magic moments that creep up and are suddenly here

with us.

Last night was such a moment.

A simple scene, but beautiful. From the terrace, the sky and the sea below

were drenched in silver,-a silver scene.

That moment of twilight, suspended between light and dark.

A moment when the air seems still and all is hushed.

A moment that seems somehow out of time,

a perfect balance

when perception seems heightened and reality

is here in focus, but without effort.

All is beautiful, all is well.

God is here, up close in this moment,

enveloping me in a feeling of deep peace.

I love these moments!-Somehow within this peace and stillness

I feel more fully alive.

 Mo.

Morning walk----dancing sunlight.

Off to an early start for our walk this morning, leave it any later

and the heat makes the return journey unbearable.

Round the corner we go and there----a feast for the eyes,-

sunlight dancing on the water, the background a silhouette

in sepia.The sparkling light draws me into a

rainbow aura,and I feel refreshed.

This morning sunrise always lifts my spirits.

There's a newness here, a freshness,

a deep resonant energy source that lifts me into it,

animating,invigorating, giving me hope for the new day.

Mo.

A little peace for monday morning-------

How we all need peace! The word has so many levels of meaning,
from that deep inner peace that I feel is the subconscious desire of us
all, to the unselfish altruistic peace needed between nations,
as  the only way to bring life back into harmony and stability.

At The Oasis I try to offer an atmosphere of peace
that  hopefully lets people relax for a while,
draw out the positive creative aspects of life
and work practically in a caring  way to share
 these with others.

                                                   

I came across this lovely poem of Yeats which captures so
simply and beautifully his idea of peace. I remember learning
it years ago, loving its simplicity, and its evocative imagery
still haunts me. There's a wistfulness, a deep longing that
always moves me.

So too, the Irish in me relates to the song of the same title,
and both videos have such lovely pictures that  I couldn't resist them.
-A little peace for monday morning!
                                                        Mo.

                                                          

                                                           

A way to relax.-----

How we need real relaxation today. It seems to me that
 the pace of life has accelarated so dramatically,
 that if we try to find space to unwind
and 'empty the mind' from stress and turmoil
we actually feel guilty.

My concept of The Oasis is to offer people an opportunity
to move away for a while, to let go of everyday problems
 and find a sense of balance and true perspective. I'ts
somewhere to come to  and find a simpler, more peaceful
way of life.

I find that relaxation/meditation sessions prove helpful,
with usually a  very relaxed time after for light refreshments
and a chat.In winter time I  offer these more frequently,
and when the wind is howling outside, and we are feeling
cosy and warm ,it's good to finish with cocoa and biscuits.

 so that  this therapy can be sustained at home I  have
produced several CD s as a supplement.
They are based on the spoken word, a gentle, deeply relaxing
 format following a holistic approach, with emphasis on both 
physical relaxation and spiritual  enlightenment.
They are an attempt to offer an inner stillness,
and in this stillness,-a meeting with  the soul,
and a real feeling of peace.

If you would like to try a CD, a suggested  guideline pricing
is €10 or 13 USD. inclusive of shipping.If you use the donate button
on the sidebar please Email me also with the name of the item.
                                                                    Mo.

Summer Days----Red Red Wine----and UB40 ofcourse!

                                                                                   

The wonderful UB40 and their song of the 80's
 that remains popular through the years.
Take a look at the Youtube viewing
to get an idea of popularity.

My vision of perfect bliss always includes wine,-usually red,

but you can choose.

 I see a long table laden with delicious food  fruit and flowers,
in the centre huge carafes of wine;----and this wine is good!
No sulphites here, -the chemicals that leave me with a horrid
 acid after-taste , ruining the real meaning of wine;
 just pure juicy grapes and honey.

Delightfully intoxicating too.Everyone relaxed, happy, full
of  warmth, the  joy of living together and peace. Music playing,
people dancing,-floating really,- soaking themselves in sunlight.

A bright colourful beautiful scene, alight with animation and love,
an ecstatic moment, full of sparkle and life for all.
 For me -----Heaven on earth!
                                   

We've just traced some good organic wine here in Malta,
 and hope to visit the farm this weekend.
I think though when we price it we'll have to
keep it for that special occasion! -I'll keep you in touch.
                              Mo.

An apple a day-------but which one is organic?!

We try to eat organic food most of the time,-it''s part of our way of life

as I feel that food in it's natural unadulterated state

 has to be more wholesome than food grown with chemicals, pesticides etc.

The other day though we were low on apples, so bought a small

supply from our local fruit and veg. shop. Not organic ofcourse.

Here in Malta organic food is not in plentiful supply

and is much more expensive than the other.

These apples , on the surface looked good;( the one on the left is the non organic one.) I noticed though that although the organic fruit was smaller

it felt as heavy as the other.

Tasting this cheaper, good looking

apple was a disappointment to put it mildly.

Not too bad to start with, a bit of apple taste,

then increasingly a tastelessness,- or maybe  sawdust-like,

certainly an emptiness. Not much juicy fruity experience here!

Closer to the core it became discoloured,- more mushy.

Are we really kidding ourselves that this is good or healthy

or satisfying?

I feel very concerned about the movement that Europe has made in the

field of genetically modified food.

Maltese John Dalli, the European Health and Consumer Affairs Commissioner

thinks that those who oppose his decisions are ----'scaremongers',

and states that he is in favour of science-based policy making, adding,-

'We cannot be responsible for reducing Europe to an innovation backwater,'

----but is science always right?-Certainly the large monopolistic

science based chemical companies are making lots of money!

Anyway apparently next on the agenda is a report on animal cloning!

I suppose that so long as there is little education in this whole area,

and so long as the majority of the public continues to

show a lack of awareness or  interest, then things will develop

increasingly this way. As for me,-----I'll continue within my limited circumstances,

to seek out natural wholesome organic food,

because I honestly believe that this is the  true way.

I saw advertised recently a DVD documentary film called

'Food, Inc;'-----I think it will provide considerable enlightenment on

this topic, and will prove most interesting if not horrifying.

More scaremongering I'm afraid!

Mo.

'Summer Fields'--------and Sting's' Fields of Gold'

Summer Fields----a textured background with acrylics on stretched canvas.

This is how Summer Fields started. A simple painting,

 using a textured medium as a new approach. I enjoyed the feel

of working with  texture, and the finished painting seemed to have

more depth and interest.

In the studio I kept looking at it and feeling that I wanted

to add something. I liked the colouring and sense of space

but felt there was something missing.

And so Summer Fields becomes this!

I'm happier with it now I think.No longer a fairly empty space.

The background perhaps not as vibrant, but poppies always

seem to give an animation, a cheerfulness,and in spite

of their fragility, their vivid colour provides the vibrancy.

A haze of cornflowers has to belong with a summer field,

a delicately soft romanticism.

Yes----I'm happier with the painting now,

----I feel that it is more alive.

The painting is available.----28"x20" guide price €130

P.S. It reminds me a little of Sting's Fields of Gold.

Thank God for Summer .

Mo.

Today's painting-----"Sunshine Dreaming.'

'Sunshine Dreaming.'-20"X14"-acrylic on deep stretched canvas-

no need to frame.----- Available.

I wanted this to be a happy painting with a feeling of lightness,

and so the sunshine yellow sets the mood.The sun to

radiate warmth and energy.

I felt it needed a sense of restfulness too, a quiet relective

tone that  would be a calming focus.

Simplicity is in most of my paintings, I like the lack of complication,

the unclutteredness that helps clear the mind and soul.

So the stool is here,- also the daisies with their

simple freshness, their little centres, microcosms

of the yellow sun. Maybe a little mysticism?

Where are her dreams taking her?  A natural setting,

outside air, sunlight, flowers, energy-giving and inspiring.

A painting to relax with, a painting to dream with.

A gift for a special occasion.

Mo.

Guide price- €70---90  USD.+postage and packing.

Take a quiet moment-----

                                                                          

In these fast-paced days of seemingly ever increasing materialism
and confusion, I find it so calming and uplifting to find time
to meditate on simple truths. Truths that we know in our
 heart to be the real answer to lack of peace on all levels,
an answer to our own disquiet and that of the world.

So perhaps you would like to take a moment of quiet to
enjoy and reflect on this video, -a simple yet deep statement
to touch our heart and inspire our spirit.
                        Mo.


       

Humid days, the flowers- and me.

The last several days have been almost unbearable with

the heat and high humidity, reducing us to a limp,

drained state, where for me  the mind almost ceases to

function,and I move  in zombie -like fashion through

each minute.

Night time is the worst, with the dense, dark air

descending and wrapping me in a  thick, hot , damp blanket,

I'm suffocating here!

Not so some of our plants! The hibiscus especially

seems to thrive in the humidity, scarlet flowers

bringing a welcome splash of colour and freshness.

Years ago, before we lived in Malta and I read novels

or travel books describing the Mediterranean,

the hibiscus seemed so often to be there

along with the mimosa and orange blossom,-

images of dazzling colour, heady scents and exotic

settings.

Thank heaven for these scarlet splashes of colour;

for their loveliness, their verve and vivacity,

their statement of everything beautiful

to lift us through these humid days!

Mo.

   

The invaders are back!----

Last week has been hot! Very hot----and humid. The only way to keep cool

is the sea. It beckons temptingly at every moment.

 Late July and August are always like this, but

this year has  excelled itself!

Why is it that at this time, when most in need of the sea

it puts up barriers?  What are all those people looking at?

----- The jelly fish ofcourse!

 

Call it what you will-the irony of fate, the perverseness of nature.

the sacrilege of increasing pollution, the negative vibrations

of people,-but here they come again, to disturb the peace.

I look forward to those winds of change!

Ofcourse I hope they come gently, and that I feel them coming;

but surely somewhere along the way is

the return of harmony and the beautiful,

natural, rhythmic flow of things, so that

everyone, -and I mean everyone,- can feel free

to enjoy the world as it is meant to be.

Mo.

No trust any more ?----

                                                                               

I came across this song Lead Me- by Sanctus Real, quite by chance, and
I find it so simply refreshing and perceptive.

 As a teacher and social worker I have become increasingly aware
 that many people are finding so much shallowness and insincerity
in today's world that they are fast losing the ability to form
 relationships based on trust for fear of being hurt.

 Masks are adopted very often and  a superficial exterior life
is led with so much loneliness  and anxiety on the inside
that there is much unhappiness.

This song cuts through the veneer, to approach the problem
with a humility and honesty.----I find it well worth listening to.
I've included the version showing the lyrics because I  think
they are so meaningful.
                                      Mo.

Colour, creation, creativity------

MORNING-----7"X10" ----ACRYLIC.

I know  that I would find it impossible to  live in a monochrome world.

Colour for me animates, motivates, inspires; as light

I see it as the very essence of life and living, alongside love,

infact fused into love as an integral part of it.

Colour My World.

Colour my world in rainbow hues,

nothing drab or dreary,

this is my wish:-

to live in harmony with Life,

see the beauty of Creation up close,

touch Heaven with my heart.

Mo.

-----and ofcourse Donovan's 'Colours'-----

Palazzo, palms, pomegranates------and the studio.

We looked through the imposing gate of neo- classical design,

 to the old palazzo beyond. How sad it looked!

Once it had been imposing too, now it had

fallen into grand----well not so grand decay.

We knew that it had many happy memories.

Memories of elegant dining, celebrations,

open air evenings with music and good wine,

 guests reclining in the lovely grounds.

As we looked we noticed, tucked away in a corner,

a small glass fronted room.

 There it stood, unobtrusive,

certainly not imposing, but it had a drawing power.

Encircled by age old  palm trees  somehow letting it feel safe,

  protected,and so peaceful,

 ----we knew that this would be the Oasis Studio!

Today, looking through the window,

at the old pomegranate tree,

listening to early morning bird song,

the  palazzo too radiates

a faint comfort mingled with its sad air.

Maybe it will be restored;

Maybe it will regain its former glory;

maybe it is here, waiting and hoping and believing that

once again it will hear the sound of music and laughter.

I hope so !

  Mo.

Any Umbrellas?

I couldn't resist this picture as we walked to the coffee shop this morning.

So peaceful-so serene; shades of blue and white, quiet reflections,

silence and stillness.

Return just a few hours later --- a different scene.

People!-----

All shapes and sizes, young and old,

filling up the loungers and the pool.

Not much space!

I always find it rather crazy this bustling activity;

and just behind, ----the vast almost empty Mediterranean.

-----But that's another story!

 Mo.

Taking a walk at sunrise-----

I haven't much time to spend on the blog this morning,

 but I just had to share this beautiful sunrise

seen on the way to the studio .

This hot humid weather means that if I am to

spend time painting  it has to be as early as possible.

So we rise early and get moving!

I am so grateful for this discovery of early morning.

In winter I so enjoyed the experience of a

pre-dawn walk, loving the atmosphere as the sky

turned gently to soft pinks,now it's the

splendour of a golden sun,radiating intense,

rich orange, and seeing this reflected in

the sea as we walk along.

Such richness I find breathtakingly beautiful

and I feel now that to miss it is to lose a gift of grace

so silently yet so grandly offered.

I have lived on this little island for years  ,

yet only in the last few months have I been

out regularly at sunrise. I realise more and more how

often I have let the wonder of nature slip

by almost unnoticed.

   Mo.