[Note: WordPress has changed something so that you might have to click on the title of the post to see the rest of the post. Sorry about that – trying to get that corrected.] For this you are here, to reach across and open the way. This is what my nondominant left hand wrote to […]
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I just ran across a blog post I wrote at the end of 2023, a year that began with a prayer for liberation “whatever it takes.” The universe answered my prayer with cancer, not exactly what I had in mind, and yet it was the perfect opportunity for me to decide if I really meant
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Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. ~C. S. Lewis When someone asked me this morning how I cope with the tragedy of fear and rage and suffering going on in our country right now, I answered, “with compassion.” That is a simple answer,
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Peace is this moment without judgment. That is all. This moment in the Heart-space where everything is welcome. ~Dorothy Hunt We talk a lot about peace, especially this time of year. We want peace in our families. We want peace with our neighbors. We want peace on our streets. We want peace in the world.
In the realm of true dharmaThere is neither self nor otherOnly spontaneous recognitionAs we say together “not two”~Sengcan Buddhist teacher Pema Chodron says that she practices compassion by reminding herself that everyone she encounters is “just like me.” Just like me, this person wants to be free from suffering. Just like me, this person wants
Let your deeds be the offspring of the path of light. ~Pamela Eakins Our deeds have an origin. We might act out of fear, or obligation, or obedience, or anger. Or out of joy, or love, or compassion, or kindness. Many of us are taught to submit to an outside authority, so we discipline ourselves
There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear none are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love none are needed. ~Emmanuel’s Book II Have you ever known someone – perhaps a friend, a child, a parent, a significant other – for whom no assurance of love was ever enough? This quote reminded me of
When an item is sold “as is,” it means that there is no warranty. The buyer accepts the item in its current condition and assumes all responsibility for whatever happens, understanding that there are no promises or guarantees about how long or how well the item will perform. Life is like that, I think. Somehow,
I was walking with a friend recently, relating to her some of my experience two years ago when I began the year with a prayer to the universe. I prayed out loud every morning asking for liberation, whatever it takes. Apparently, for me it took getting cancer. Not what I had in mind, but I
I don’t need to go there. ~Swami Khecaranatha When I use my car’s GPS to set my route to a particular destination, sometimes I miss a turn or even intentionally take a little detour, distracted by one thing or another. The nice computer lady who gives me directions never fusses at me. I see the
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Carpe the fuck out of this diem. ~slogan on a pair of socks Several years ago, a friend gave me a pair of socks with this slogan on each sock. I don’t know what motivated her to give me this gift, especially since I never ever heard a cuss word come out of her mouth.
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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.
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I choose to allow these very conditions to be those conditions under which I now learn to choose love. ~The Way of Mastery This quote encourages me to keep my heart open in all circumstances. I don’t have to like difficult times or celebrate suffering. I don’t have to pretend that everything is fun. On
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
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If a problem has a solution, there is no need to worry. If a problem does not have a solution, there is no need to worry.~the Dalai Lama Worry is so ingrained in most of us that we are not even aware of the “worry loop” spinning in the background of our thoughts. At least
Give me a well-trained tongue that has been born out of silent listening in the sanctuary of my heart. May my words become love in the lives of others. ~Macrina Wiederkehr I whisper this aspiration to myself when I’m preparing to speak to a group, or about to have what might be a challenging conversation.
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[A couple of years ago, I started an inspiration collection of poems, quotes, and thoughts that I keep on index cards in a pretty box. Every morning I pull a card and place it where I can see it throughout the day. This simple practice has helped support me and keep me centered and grounded
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
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I was watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas with my grandchild recently (for the umpteenth time). Every time I see this movie, I’m reminded of its simple message about the holidays. Even when all is lost (spoiler alert), the Whos down in Whoville remember that the true gifts we give each other come from the
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Keeping your heart open does not mean liking or condoning whatever someone does. It does not mean refraining from defending someone who is being attacked. It means keeping your heart open with compassion for the person attacked, for the attacker, and for yourself. Especially for yourself. I cannot criticize myself for thoughts of fear, anger,