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.
Speaking the Blessing 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
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 »
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
Gifts of the Season Read More »
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,
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
When pushed and pulled to make differentiationsSimply say “Not two” This quote is from a 5th century Buddhist poem by Sengan, Third Chinese Chan Patriarch, translated by Dan G. Reid in The Thread of Dao. The words reach across the centuries as the perfect reminder for today, election day in the United States, a day
If you paid attention to the thoughts in your mind and the words that you speak, what would you hear? Maybe spend some time today listening to yourself. Listen without intentionally directing, without judging, without self-censoring. Just listen. What do you hear? And perhaps more important, how does what you hear make you feel? Without
Listen to Yourself Read More »
Everything we hold on to will be relinquished. The people we love, the things we have, the beliefs we defend, the identities we treasure, the bodies we inhabit – all will be left behind. Like the great closing sale of life – everything must go! Every loss we fear will come to pass. What does
“You do you” is sometimes used to dismiss someone you do not agree with, similar to phrases like “suit yourself” or “whatever.” Someone said this to me not long ago. I admit that at the time it stung. But later I thought about the phrase itself apart from the context in which it was used.
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
It’s hard to ask for help. We like to be self-sufficient and not have to depend on anyone else. Our culture values independence. Asking for help is seen as weak, not fully in control. And you know we all like to be in control! Being in control is seen as strong. But let’s think about
Years ago when I was researching and writing about happiness, one question kept coming up. If we all say we want to be happy, why aren’t we? Before we go further, let’s expand our concept of happiness to include joy, well being, wonder, awe, contentment, inner peace, enjoyment, just basic okayness, and any other related
Shadow Beliefs about Happiness Read More »
Before enlightenment chop wood carry water. After enlightenment chop wood carry water. ~Zen saying Reflecting the wisdom of this saying, Jack Kornfield titled one of his books “After the Ecstasy, the Laundry.” The point of both the saying and the title is that we might have peak mystical experiences of awakening, but then it’s time
The Ecstasy Is IN the Laundry Read More »
I ran across this phrase recently. It caught my attention because I love the word abide. Looking up its etymology, I found that it carries with it a sense of “waiting onward.” I loved that too. Not waiting passively or impatiently, but with an attitude of alert attention, open receptivity, readiness to engage fully with
Several years ago, the desire to know, to merge, with the Divine Beloved was so strong within me that I knew without that union, nothing else would ever be enough. And so I wrote this prayer: BelovedOh to feel your touch of graceI ache for your embrace of compassionTake me to yourselfLose me in the
An Answered Prayer Read More »
I haven’t had a word of the year for a decade. In an illustration of cosmic humor of the universe, my last word of the year was in 2013 and my word was “wait.” But as 2013 came to a close, no new word came for 2014. Now, ten years later, as 2023 drew to
The Power of Being Willing Read More »
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 »
[Note: I’ve been trying to update something on my subscriber service, and apparently my last post got resent one or two extra times to some people. If that happened to you, I apologize for the annoyance. Hopefully, everything is fixed now.] Someone complained to me recently that she had gotten away from her spiritual practice
Everyday Life as Spiritual Practice Read More »