A koan is a paradoxical statement or question used in Zen Buddhism to confound logical thinking and facilitate enlightenment. For example, what is the sound of one hand clapping? Our brains like to identify, categorize, explain, and evaluate. When they are not able to do this, they get agitated and start scanning more anxiously for …
Many of us have had the experience of hearing our name called as a teacher or group leader goes down the list. The typical response is usually “Here!” or “Present!” Sometimes this is accompanied by a raised hand to help identify ourselves. The person calling the roll is not asking anything of us at that …
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8 Since the beginning of the year, I have paid a lot more attention to my thoughts. Many of us …
After years without any particular word for a new year, a word did come to me this year – liberate. So I wondered how to focus on this word, to make it a priority, to commit to it. A prayer came to me, and so I decided to have a prayer of the year, to …
I’ve been joking that I’ve waited ten years for another word of the year. My last word of the year was in 2013, and the word was “wait.” At the end of 2013, I wanted to go into the new year with a completely open mind – no resolutions, no goals, no aspirations, no word. …
The journey from teaching about love to allowing myself to be loved proved much longer than I realised. ~Henri Nouwen As a spiritual practice, “allowing” is often described as an acceptance of what is. We sometimes think of this acceptance of reality as not struggling against something that we don’t like. But we overlook the …
My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened. ~Michel de Montaigne I must be getting old. Several people in the last year have asked me to offer some wisdom or insight gained over decades of living. It has proven more challenging than I might have anticipated. Indeed, the more I …
I was chatting with my daughter about a situation involving my grandchildren. I can’t even remember what we were talking about, but at one point my daughter paused and looked at me. “You’re a ride or die Nana,” she observed. I had to look that up. A ride or die person is someone who will …
African American comedian Wanda Sykes did a funny skit on TV one time using that tag line. She would read an actual news headline, shake her head and sigh, “Oh white people.” I had an oh-white-people experience recently. (I’m white.) I had a lengthy phone conversation with someone I had not met. We talked about …
When asked about his personal path, Sifu Adam Mizner listed several aspects, the first being “abiding.” What he meant, he explained, was a quality of empty knowing, leading to freedom, awakening, and liberation. Abiding. What a great word. When I looked up the etymology, I found a reference to “waiting onwards.” This is not the …
Open my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me that I may walk through this day with the kind of awareness that calls forth grateful living. ~Macrina Wiederkehr I’ve been using this quote recently to start my day. I like the idea of waking up with a blessing, an expression of gratitude for a precious …
While I was visiting a friend who had gone through a rough time, she pointed out a chair in her apartment. That chair, she told me, was where she had spent many dark hours, full of anger and despair. It held too many bad memories; she wanted to get rid of it. In its place …
If you are a fan of The Last Kingdom, you will recognize the “destiny is all” tag line from the show. Destiny. That is a powerful word. It comes from a Latin word meaning to make firm or to establish. The word is used and abused in all sorts of contexts – religious, political, and …
In the movie Peaceful Warrior, an injured gymnast Dan regains his health under the spiritual guidance of a mysterious man whom he calls Socrates. In the final scene, Dan is performing his routine in competition, centering himself by focusing his mind on this imagined dialogue: Socrates: Where are you?Dan: HereSocrates: What time is it?Dan: NowSocrates: …
I’m walking a labyrinth with some friends next week. I love this meditative practice. It models how we move through life in faith. Unlike a maze, there are no wrong turns in a labyrinth. Yes, there are twists and turns, but the path leads unerringly to the center. You cannot get lost. So you can …
Recently someone said something to me that upset me. It was not meant to upset me, but I experienced it somewhat like an intrusion, even a violation, although that might be too strong a word. However well intended, it was too personal and crossed a boundary I had not even known was there. Having heard …
The Chinese character for “practice” occurs only once in the entire Dao De Jing. I found that intriguing and thought we could explore the practices suggested in that chapter. Close the mouth – Quietness The first practice is described as closing the mouth. This of course could literally mean not talking. And certainly many of …
When our contemplation group used to meet in person, I sometimes placed a bowl by the door. As we settled in, I invited people to place in the bowl anything that was weighing them down, distracting them, keeping them from being fully present – worries, anxiety, should’s, judgments, have to’s, and so on. “Don’t worry,” …
Some of us like to know where we stand. Am I making progress? How do I know? Am I further along than [fill in the blank]? So here is a list of stages that I suspect many of us can relate to. I Want It The allure of awakening has caught our attention and we …
Eight Stages of Awakening, or “Are We There Yet?” Read More »
No one tells you There is a sadness When all is left behind Although shed willingly Touch lingers A last caress Of what was once a treasure There is no going back Nor would you want to Yet there were moments When happiness kissed your lips And longing stirred your soul When the dream sang …
