In a whirlwind world of running from one task to the next, "Nova Conscientia" beckons deep, steady breath. Thought-provoking and soul-stirring to its core, this book invites the reader to explore their inner and outer realms through the eyes of newfound awareness. From being catapulted into the heart of winter amidst sparrows, to being immersed in riverbeds brimming with ancient stardust, there is magic to be found, not only in the seemingly fantastical, but in the blatantly ordinary. Above all, as a seamless intersection between poetry and philosophy (particularly Zen), this collection of meditative musings serves as a reminder to be more mindful in daily life to bring about enduring personal peace, self-compassion, and mind-body-soul healing.Excerpts: "In s t i l l n e s s / the muddled water pooling around me / eventually distills." -from the poem "Anahata" "I told my body / that it was an oak tree. / It believed me, / but belly-laughed all the same." -from the poem "Oak Tree"