Talk less, listen moreJudge less, love more A mantra is a word or short phrase that focuses your attention. It can be a sacred mantra that connects you to the divine. It can be a brief, inspiring quote. It can be a reminder or guide to keep you focused on what is most important to […]
In Greek mythology, Arachne was a highly skilled weaver. So confident was she of her talent that she bragged her weaving was more beautiful than that of the goddess Athena. Athena did not take kindly to the comparison. She approached Arachne disguised as an old woman and issued this warning: “I have had much experience
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Recently I invited a friend to join me in an activity I had planned for the two of us. I had an idea of how this would all go, but when my friend showed up, she had a very different idea. Taken a bit by surprise, and thrown off balance for a moment, I did
I was describing to someone how working on the last stages of my new book as I was preparing for cancer surgery this summer really helped me stay centered. Reading and rereading the chapters to edit and proofread kept the content of the book front and center in my consciousness and was a constant and
This Shit Really Works Read More »
Recently I wrote about how I created rituals to help support me through having cancer this year. One ritual I didn’t mention was one that hasn’t happened yet, but will this weekend. When I knew I was going to have a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer, I decided I wanted to honor the body parts
Not long ago, I was contemplating whether to reach out to someone with whom I had had a falling out, who as a result had cut off communication with me. Months had gone by, and I thought perhaps I might offer a simple message, without expectation of response, just to let the other person know
Buddhism is sometimes described as the middle path or the middle way. This has a specific meaning in the context of Buddhism, but for me the general concept of a middle way helped me navigate my journey with cancer this year. I have written over recent months about the challenges and blessings of this journey
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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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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
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… 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
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… continued from last post The second image that came to me in connection to living in trust was Peter walking across the water to Jesus. The disciples were in a boat during a storm and saw Jesus walking towards them on the water. Peter wanted to try it out so Jesus called Peter to
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We meditate, we pray, we read spiritual literature, we set intentions, we attend retreats, we sit at the feet of teachers, we chant mantras, we aspire, and yet …. A few months ago, I engaged in a period of self reflection to explore what was blocking my way. I thought the problem was desire. Then
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I used to have a word of the year. The last time I did that was 2013 and my word was “wait.” In the years since, I’ve joked that I’m still waiting for a new word! As I mentioned in a recent post, this year I want to focus on being a better listener. One
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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
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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
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