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
It Does Not Touch You Read More »
Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ~George Santayana Oops! I did it again. ~Britney Spears Many of us have caught ourselves at one time or another repeating a pattern or a mistake, and thinking, “I knew better. Why did I do that again?” Our history can teach us to
The Heaviness of History 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 »
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,”
It’s that time of year, at least in the temperate climes of the northern hemisphere. As we approach winter solstice, health is in our awareness more than usual this year. Some of us are getting our flu shots and Covid boosters. Health concerns are now part of our plans for holiday travel and getting together
Breathing a Blessing to My Body Read More »
Your belief does not make Truth true Truth is ever true and can be nothing else All else is false And cannot be made true by thought So believe or do not believe It does not matter Truth shines ever radiant Seen clearly by the soul Unencumbered by mind’s need to know I’ve been thinking about the nature of belief lately, which is
The Trap of Belief 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
The Sadness of Letting Go Read More »
I’ve mentioned the technique I used for years of writing with my non-dominant left hand to respond to prayers or questions I addressed to the Universe or God or whatever name you prefer. I found that my left hand accessed a source of wisdom in some mysterious way that I can’t explain. I don’t think
Message from the Universe 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 »
As a person who often advocates “practice,” I’ve been exploring what it means to practice something. We might have lots of practices. I practice martial arts, for example. Some of us practice mindfulness, meditation, yoga, loving-kindness, and more. When we have an intention to cultivate or develop a skill or a habit, we devote time
The Art of Allowing Read More »
We practice releasing. We practice allowing. We practice accepting. We sometimes overlook the practice of receiving. How is it different from these others and why is it important? Is it different? In some ways all these practices are related. In one way they are all the same. But each does have a slightly different flavor.
The Practice of Receiving Read More »
The universe has been giving me plenty of writing material in the joke’s-on-me category. This time it’s about developing a website and working on a new book project. For years I have quietly cruised along on my little blog, happy to use Blogger, grateful for all those who have subscribed by email. Then recently Blogger
Oh Right, I Knew That 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 »
Wanting to be good is a good thing. Right? I want to be a good person, a good mother, a good friend, and so on. And I want others to see me as good. I want my goodness reflected back to me in how others think of me, talk about me, and act towards
The Trap of Being “Good” Read More »
For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12 When we read this verse, we might yearn for that time of seeing face to face, when all things become clear and we see things as they really are. We don’t often pause to wonder if we will like
A person at birth is soft and gentle At death is hard and unyielding Sprouting plants are tender and supple At death are brittle and dry Stiff and unyielding are associated with death Soft and gentle with life The wisdom in this chapter is easy to understand from our own observations. Babies learning to
Tao Te Ching – Chapter 76 Read More »
The answer is right there in the terms we use to describe ourselves when we are upset or at ease. It is a matter of direction. A few days ago I had an appointment with someone who was coming to my house. The person didn’t arrive on time, and as the minutes ticked by, I
How to Calm DOWN When You Are Riled UP Read More »
How have I been so blessed To have this life To be life Released from all knowing Falling gratefully Into the current of the infinite
When people do not fear powerGreat power appearsThese first two lines have been translated and interpreted so many ways, it’s difficult to find any footing in a particular meaning. Like many passages in the Tao Te Ching which seem to address governance, this couplet could refer to actual political government, and could also refer to
Tao Te Ching – Chapter 72 Read More »