A recent visit to a dark sky sanctuary magnificently illustrated the challenge many of us recognize in our meditation practice. There we were, my two friends and I, lined up like sardines in our cozy sleeping bags on a blanket spread on the ground under a vast night sky. I live in an old neighborhood […]
Satellites in the Starry Sky Read More »
Breathe deeply, until sweet air extinguishes the burn of fear in your lungs and every breath is a beautiful refusal to become anything less than infinite. ~D. Antoinette Foy Lately, I’ve been feeling some anxiety. Not debilitating or overwhelming, but anxiety is not something I typically experience, so I’ve noticed it and wondered about its
Years ago, I was standing on a sidewalk in Paris, close to a line of cars parked along the curb, chatting with some friends. Suddenly a deep voice bellowed from the car closest to me. “Step away from the car! Step away from the car!” I didn’t just step, I leapt several feet, crashing into
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
When Love crashes through mind’s familiar understanding of how things ought to be, mind can only cry out, “That’s a miracle!” “No,” Love answers, “that’s just the way I am.” ~Emmanuel’s Book III This whimsical quote always makes me smile. Love, apparently, has some attitude, and delights in expressing itself, sometimes to everyone’s surprise. Yet,
That’s the Way Love Is Read More »
[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
Reason says, the world is limited in six directions There is no way out Love says, there is a way And I have traveled it many times ~Rumi When we are unsure about something, or making a decision, or figuring something out, or choosing a course of action, we often turn to reason. We make lists of pros and
Love Knows the Way Read More »
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
Think on These Things Read More »
Discernment has been the topic of several recent conversations. How do we recognize the voice of discernment when we are trying to determine a course of action? You’ve probably seen a cartoon character with an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, each one urging an opposite decision. Discernment can sometimes feel
The Voice of Discernment Read More »
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.
Wait…Wait…Liberate! Read More »
We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are. ~Anais Nin I’m not sure what this says about me, because when I glanced at this sticker in the grocery store, I thought it said “Fairy Traded Bananas.” How whimsical, I smiled, pausing to picture tiny fairy farmers bringing their produce to
What We Think We See 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 »
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 »
If you have ever trained a dog, one of the commands you might have taught is “watch.” The idea is for the dog to lock eyes on you, without being distracted by anything else, and wait for your next instruction. Over and over again, the universe teaches me this lesson. Something will happen and I
The world is divided into people who think they are right. ~Tara Brach It took me a few seconds to understand that there was no more to this sentence. Each side of the divide claims the higher ground of being right, being righteous, being morally superior, being more ethical, being smarter, being better.
Bringing Peace to Opposition Read More »
This is a beautiful chapter that acknowledges how elusive something so simple can be.My words are very easy to knowVery easy to put into practiceYet under heaven no one is able to know themNo one can put them into practiceWhen people ask me to explain Tao to them, or ask me what they need to
Tao Te Ching – Chapter 70 Read More »
If it weren’t for my mind, my meditation would be excellent. ~Pema Chodron You’ve heard me frequently emphasize and encourage practice. I’ve talked about the “razor’s edge” of practice, that place where we are challenged to release, expand, embrace, accept, forgive. The place where we meet fear on the battlefield and bow in respect. The
I’m reading a book titled “What is Mysticism” by Jon Mundy. Yesterday I read this passage: Mostly, it’s a profound inner knowing and an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things – a sense that everything is perfect just the way it is. When I read it, I got chills because I was blessed to
Everything – No Matter What – Is Perfect Read More »
A few weeks ago, I started practicing taiji (tai chi) at a different martial arts school. I’m not new to taiji, but I’m new to this school, so I am sort of a beginner and not a beginner at the same time. Some things are familiar to me, but every school, and even every teacher,
One who knows does not speakOne who speaks does not know Upon reading these opening lines, our first instinct might be to be quiet, to show that, or at least hope that, we are among those who know. But then, after a while, we want to talk about it, either to share what we think
Tao Te Ching – Chapter 56 Read More »