Contentment is subversive. That might sound like an odd statement in the midst of angry protests, marches, boycotts, rallies, and disruptions. But think about it. Our integrated systems of politics, religion, economics, law, and healthcare are all based, in one way or another, on discontent. Our economy, to take one example, is driven by consumerism. […]
The Power of Contentment Read More »
For by their fruits you shall know them. ~Matthew 7:16 The Bible teaches that we know who people are by their fruits. I’ve been thinking about that lately. By what characteristics do we measure people? What are the qualities manifested by those we hold up as beacons of holiness or enlightenment? What are the attributes
Known by the Fruit Read More »
Regardless of your position on any particular spectrum – religious, political, or other – it’s hard to deny that there is a lot of emotion churned up in today’s world. Many people are caught up in “big feelings,” as my daughter would say. The polarized division of “us” and “them” has become a powerful force
Seeing through a Wide Angle Lens Read More »
We sometimes judge ourselves for falling short of how, in our opinion, a “spiritual” person should think and behave. If I am feeling upset, angry, despondent, sad, fearful, then I must not be practicing enough. I must try to do better, be better. Maybe I’m too lazy, or unfocused, or not really committed to the
Spring equinox is here. A day of equal light and dark, the day of transition as the light which has been increasing since winter solstice now overtakes the darkness and continues to expand each day until summer solstice. I’ve always thought it curious that we start our new year in the northern hemisphere just as
I’ve had the pleasure lately of working with several folks practicing basic principles of taiji and standing meditation. These basic principles integrate body, mind, and spirit to help us live our lives functioning as our whole selves, or, as I like to say, firing on all cylinders. Different people will of course have different ideas
Three Qualities of Integrating Body, Mind, Spirit Read More »
Several times in recent months, someone has expressed to me hesitation to participate in a get together because, as they said, they felt that they had nothing of value to offer that particular day. Maybe because they were worried about something, or distracted, or just in a slump. They really wanted to come, but they
Permission to Receive Read More »
I was practicing push hands recently with a taiji buddy. (Push hands is a partner practice, sort of like taiji sparring.) He shared something from his teacher who reminds him from time to time to “trust where you are.” That intrigued me and I asked what it meant. He explained that his teacher observed that
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When the light turned green, the driver in front of me turned on their left turn signal. I waited for them to pull forward into the intersection so that I could get around them and continue straight while they waited for an opening to turn. But they didn’t. They didn’t move forward at all, and
… continued from last post The third image that came to me in connection with living in trust was Odysseus, who knew that on his voyage home after the Trojan War, his ship would have to pass the deadly coast where the Sirens called so enchantingly to passing ships. Their song was so irresistible that
Living in Trust (Part 3 of 3) Read More »
In the last post, I wrote about the idea of having a “burden bowl,” where we can lay our burdens down and be free of them forever, or at least until we decide to pick them up again. I left a lot of burdens behind on New Year’s Eve. I wanted to walk into the
Embracing the New Year Read More »
The universe has given me an opportunity lately to learn more about the nature of desire. I have been wanting something, and the wanting has been powerful. The object of my desire was something I considered not appropriate. So naturally, I tried not to want it. I failed. Then I decided to simply deny myself
Alignment Is in the Center of What Is Read More »
Just a simple little key, right? A little house key that got lost when I went for a walk. When I got back home, the key was not in my pocket. What happened to it? It probably fell out when I pulled a poop bag out of my pocket to clean up after my dog.
The Nature of Desire Read More »
My last post was about a practice I’ve recently adopted of taking five mindful breaths at set times five times a day. Since I began this practice, it has created a rhythm of returning to stillness that has gradually shifted my default orientation back into balance and alignment. I find myself not getting so caught
Every Breath a Prayer Read More »
Try this experiment. See if you can balance on one foot. If you can, then while you are still on one foot, close your eyes. Does that affect your balance? For most of us, the answer is yes. Why is that? When I started practicing this exercise, I got wobbly pretty fast when I closed
Finding Inner Balance Read More »
We all struggle sometimes, even though we know that when we struggle with reality, we will lose. Every time. But sometimes it’s hard to recognize what we are really struggling with. A friend recently revealed that he has been dealing with some challenging and painful circumstances. He most fervently wished the circumstances were different. I
Equanimity Isn’t Always Kumbaya Read More »
I love the taiji (yin yang) symbol. You are probably familiar with the design in which two curving shapes create a perfect circle. The two curving shapes represent yin (darker) and yang (lighter). Yin and yang are sometimes thought of as opposites, each with various associations–yin with the receptive, mysterious, feminine, earth; yang with the
The Illusion of Conflict Read More »
The price of staying awake is giving up every reason you have to stop loving. ~Adyashanti Do you know anyone who is a hoarder? I do. When I walk into her apartment, there are piles of newspapers and magazines everywhere. Boxes of unknown contents are stacked along the walls. Every surface is crowded with deals
Emotional Hoarding Read More »
Western culture, at least in the United States, is very goal oriented. We make new year resolutions. We have five year business and personal plans. My sons, who both have autism, have a meeting every year to set goals for the year with measurable checkpoints during the year. In fact, for many of us, our
Living in a Goal Free Zone Read More »
A sweet little chapter with a turn the other cheek message. It begins by observing that even after a conflict is settled, some resentment often remains. So how can we bring true peace to a situation? Using contracts as an example, the chapter says that the sage holds up her end of the bargain,
Tao Te Ching – Chapter 79 Read More »