“The difference is what we focus on,” he smiled and winked.

Dr. Wen was the Dean of the Asian Studies school, and – though one of the busiest administrators on campus, he always found time to meet with me each day. We sat in a small park just outside the front entrance, surrounded by the markers of a time long past and the gracious shade of the willow tree.

“Sometimes we focus on all the wrong things,” he smiled. “But, the mind can not see what the heart readily knows.”

At the time, I thought he was referring to a Scarlet Tanager hiding in the brush. It took me quite a few years to finally determine, he was speaking of much greater things.

He was trying to show me the illusion of our separateness; to share with me the importance of understanding our inherent interconnectedness. Everything in this world is intimately connected. Even our actions – both positive and negative – can not be realized without the existence of another.

And yet, here we stand – confused by the hindrance of labels.

When we see something – a painting, for example; do we see it as separate from the artist’s passion. Are the brush strokes delineated in such a way that we are unable to appreciate the depth of shadow and pattern?

When you consider in this manner, my loves – we are not so separate, after all.

In closing, a passage from the Samadhiraja Sutra:

“Know all things to be like this:
A mirage, a cloud castle,
A dream, an apparition,
Without essence, but with qualities that can be seen.

Know all things to be like this:
As the moon in a bright sky
In some clear lake reflected,
Though to that lake the moon has never moved.

Know all things to be like this:
As an echo that derives
From music, sounds, and weeping,
Yet in that echo is no melody.

Know all things to be like this:
As a magician makes illusions
Of horses, oxen, carts and other things,
Nothing is as it appears.”
Namaste my loves ❤️

Buddhist Barbara Newell, also known as Sister Pine, was once asked how she managed to maintain a calmness of focus within the chaos of this surrounding world.

She answered simply, “By keeping in mind what I really want.”

Oh, my goodness – how brilliantly intuitive. And, yet?

How often do we take the time to consider they which we really need? Or, better yet – whether or not something truly *is* needed.

So often we temper our choices. We worry over what others might think, so much so – that we deny the very basis of our own happiness. We convince ourselves that status quo is far easier to reconcile than that of our very own fear.

But where does that leave us on this spiritual path?

In The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us that ‘letting go give us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for our happiness.” Though, how easily we distance ourselves – disengaging from the very heart of that which facilitates that freedoms.

It is a delicate balance, indeed my friends – though, one which must be continuously nurtured.
What do I really want?

What do I really need?

Take the time to ask these questions, and understand the conditions of your freedom.

Because, in the end – we must always let go to make room for our spirit to grow.

Namaste my loves ❤️

“Count your blessings,” she smiled and said to me.

My mother was always there to remind, that even in our ‘worst’ , most uncertain of times, there was always something to be cherished. Perhaps indiscernible, at first — though, substantial nonetheless.

I must have been just 7 or 8 years old, at the time. And yet, I distinctly remember spending the rest of my day scouring through the wood line for every tree, every leaf, every overturned branch. Though the process proved to be tiresome, I was compelled by a belief stronger than any doubt.

I literally made note of every blessing ‘found’. I like this tree,” I recall saying. “Its base is welcoming and its bark is proud.” I felt safe beneath her limbs, as if this elder Maple was destined to protect. She seemed so kindly and patient, in contrast to that prickled up Pine.

Thus began my decades long process of conferring with the trees. A restorative aspect of my meditation practice, one that has served me well through these years.

Be mindful of your blessings, my loves. Though at times emotion may threaten to obscure, I promise you they are nonetheless. They are there to share an important reminder, that we mustn’t leave this life oblivious to their lessons.

It is the miracle of our birthright, and the majesty of this watch — lost only when the senses are dulled.

“You pray in your distress and in your need,” shares author Kahlil Gibran “Would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.”

Indeed, why wouldn’t we acknowledge the fullness of our joy? To pay homage to those blessings which surround.

In doing so, we are reminded – that every ‘lake’ belongs to the stillness of the swans.

In peace, my loves ~ ❤️

Photo credit: Jude Dippold

“To expect happiness without giving up negative action,” writes H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche “is like holding your hand in a fire and hoping not to be burned.”

Oh, how I’m reminded of this in the smallest of ways. Those knee jerk reactions, those “I wish I hadn’ts”.

It’s certainly a struggle, now isn’t it? To find our practice *within* the practice.

That is to say…

No one actually wishes to suffer, though – so long as we continue to engage in wrong doings…we will never put an end to our pain.

In fact, it’s only by way of positive action that we might find the means to cultivate our spirit within.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t experience the depths of emotion – to bear the heaviness of anger, upset or uncertainty.

Rather, in lieu of an emotionally fueled reaction we might instead examine the roots. In this way, we may begin to disentangle that which tethers from that which releases.

“Positive action is something we have to cultivate ourselves;” he continues. “it can be neither bought nor stolen, and no one ever stumbles on it just by chance.”

Indeed, my darlings – this path ahead has purpose, as well.

Namaste ❤️

“I love you no matter what,” he said–his eyes looking past this ‘burden’ of circumstance, offering solace within the comfort of his smile.

I had been so caught up in the chaos of my own world — from the unexpected death of a dear friend, to the hardship of an unexpected diagnosis. I felt overwhelmed, perhaps even incapable, of navigating through these sudden changes. My heart, once confident, felt the weight of unrest – as my mind, constructed barriers much bigger than my own.

At the time I felt, surely this is the end. Though, in looking back, I could see – it was the beginning of my awakening.

We often feel so judged when our worlds are falling apart. Even if by no fault of our own, we feel compelled to make right, to offset the impression our ‘failure’ might yield.

Though in reality, are we not our own worst possible critics?

“I love you, no matter what,” he continued.

I looked to a small statue of the Buddha peeking through the garden’s overgrowth. Such a serene smile, it’s hard to imagine that even the Buddha experienced moments like these.

Oh, but my darlings – I promise you, he did.

The same swirling emotions of fear, anger, and doubt — they were all there, challenging the very foundation of his own inner truth. And yet, just as the Buddha realized — even our most crippling of sorrows can yield a life-enriching truth.

We are our circumstances, my loves — both good and bad. And, we are the culmination of our heart’s greatest journey.

So, what distinguishes our path from that of the smiling Buddha? Was his more compelling? Was his mind more awakened?

What is it that compels the spirit to grow?

My darlings, our journey begins with a self-accepting heart.

“I love you no matter what,” he smiled again.

It was in that moment, that I realized – that I loved me the same way, too.

❤️

My darlings, this morning I am inspired by the words of poet, Mary Oliver ~ who so effortlessly shares the energy of grace in just these few simple lines:

“It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”

When we first begin our mindfulness practice, we’re so intent on accomplishing something. Though, rarely do we know what that ‘something’ is.

And, so we sit.

We close our eyes, we mark our breath; we read books, we attend lectures – we hope, we wish. And, yet? Nirvana slips our grip again.

We become so easily discouraged, feeling that this process of awakening isn’t something that we, ourselves, might achieve. We over-complicate, where there should be simplicity. A few thoughtful lines
intended to express our gratitude for being alive.

This is the energy of mindfulness. That is to say, through every thought, every word, every breath – we may begin to experience the interconnectedness of all that is.

We lose ourselves in the mechanics of process, forgetting how easily we might return to self.

With just these few simple words, my loves ~ we create the conditions for our lives to unfold.

“Our greatest desire as spiritual practitioners” shares Thich Nhat Hanh “is to discover the essence of things and to be in touch with this essence. When we have been in touch with the ultimate dimension, with nirvana, when we have been in touch with God, then we can accept whatever happens in the here and now.”

My darlings, it doesn’t always have to be the ‘blue iris’ which helps us to deepen our awareness; sometimes, even a pile of leaves will do.

So long as we remain open to it. So long as our hearts remain grounded in gratitude.

A little something to consider on this day, my loves ❤️

There’s was a knock at my door this morning – a little one has noticed I was home from work and wanted to make sure I was alright.

“Need any help today, Ms. Tara?,” he smiled.

Ah, the wonders of a heart, undeterred.

Every day I’m reminded of the joy that is reflected in this world. Whether through the majesty of shifting trees, or the love represented in this little one’s eyes – I can see it there, quite plainly. And, bypassing any preconceived notions, traveling straight through to one’s heart.

It reminded me of a passage – “The Good News” by Thich Nhat Hanh. I hope you won’t mind that I share it here.

“The good news
They do not print.
The good news
We do print.

We have a special edition every moment,
And we need you to read it.

The good news is that you are alive,
That the linden tree is still there
Standing firm in the harsh Winter.

The good news is that you have wonderful eyes
To touch the blue sky.

The good new is that your child is there before you,
And your arms are available:
Hugging is possible.

They only print what is wrong.
Look at each of our special editions.

We always offer the things that are not wrong.
We want you to benefit from them
And help protect them.

The dandelion is there by the sidewalk,
Smiling its wondrous smile,
Singing the song of eternity.

Listen! You have ears that can hear it.
Bow your head.
Listen to it.

Leave behind the world of sorrow
And preoccupation
And get free.

The latest good news
Is that you can do it.”

Indeed, the good news, my darlings. See it standing there before you, like the dandelion – with smiling eyes and a heart ‘rooted’ in service.

I was thinking today about the story of the Buddha, who for years struggled to break free from the limitations of his own humanity.

He was born into a life of privilege, with luxuries beyond all imagination. And yet, still he faced the suffering of unsettledness, of regret.

He wandered for years in search of enlightenment; believing, only through sacrifice could one transcend their being. In a weakened state starvation, he finally allowed himself a gift of healing – an offering of milk-rice from a young village girl. The young girl recognized what he so easily missed; that we must nurture self in order to know our truth.

In sitting beneath the Bodhi tree, he was finally able to relinquish his struggles – ‘becoming’ the Buddha he already was.

We are enough, my darlings – just as we are. There’s no need for self-deprecation or doubt, to create the life we deserve to live.

One, unencumbered by the limitations of self.

We have such a hard time making friends with ourselves. It’s as if we believe this nurturing isn’t deserved. But who are we to ‘shield’ this world from the boundless beauty that is you?

Instead, we should celebrate our capacity for generosity and kindness; we should raise the voice to speak out truth.

“Real fearlessness,” shares Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. “is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart. You are willing to open up, without resistance or shyness, and face the world. You are willing to share your heart with others.”

You see, when we’re finally able to let it all go, this world, and all that may be experienced within it, becomes our greatest teacher.

And…

When compassion can break through to our own flawed and imperfect hearts, only then can we extend its hand to all human beings.

---

“The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before death.” ― Osho

I believe it was Osho who once said; that the moment we judge is the moment we lose ‘pure witness.’

That is to say, we lose the capacity to be fully present in our quest to attach the sanctity of labels.

We confuse certainty with ‘solid ground’, finding refuge in those few short moments when mind can detach from the spinning, racing thoughts. We find comfort in the absolute, but – my darlings, we couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Because, the truth is – though labeling may seem a means to escape, in reality, it only serves to narrow our spiritual aperture. For, the moment we begin to affix judgment – to say ‘this is good’ or ‘this is bad’ – is the moment we become hopelessly limited.

When I was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I remember immediately trying to qualify my condition. I wanted so desperately to understand my future, that I was unable to appreciate the depth of this present moment. I had foolishly assumed that I might know my path, before it had ever been revealed.

And, in doing so I nearly missed the blessing in the details.

This is what it means to become a ‘true witness’—to watch with wondrous eyes, to affect a boundless appreciation for life…

Without question…

Without judgment…

Without the burden of thinking mind.

“And this process of watching is the very alchemy of real religion,” Osho shares. “Because as you become more and more deeply rooted in witnessing, thoughts start disappearing. You are, but the mind is utterly empty.”

It’s within this emptiness that we find what could be our greatest refuge.

But, how do we get there from here? And, more importantly–what actions might bring us closer to spirit?

1. Cherish Your Solitude: Don’t be so afraid of being alone. Recognize that even our loneliest moments have their purpose; and within each purpose, there is an opportunity for the heart to grow. Because, when we are alone we are forced to listen—at first to the gentle swaying of breath, and then onward to our inner ‘condition’.

We pay attention, finding our place between each breath.

In this space, there are no regrets; no timetables, nor any ‘must do’ lists—just Solitude’s gentle respite, and the chance to begin again.

So, stop being so afraid of journeying outward and never coming back again. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.” (Rumi)

2. Embrace Simplicity: Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore once wrote, “It is very simple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple.”

Indeed, isn’t that always the case? That we might set out with only the most mindful of intentions, only to be dissuaded by the noise of our day.

Sadly, distraction requires no training. Our minds are easily pulled from one thought to the next, in quick pursuit without hope of resolve. Whether the blaring of a car horn, or a child in distress – we can’t seem to help our eventual ‘capture.’

The Buddha encouraged simplicity of heart—yet, the complexity of thinking mind tend to steer us elsewhere.

But, can you just imagine a life without this chatter?

Perhaps, the most fundamental practice is that of learning to let go—to relinquish our attachments, and disentangle from the snares of our physical space.

Sometimes referred to as ‘fearless simplicity’—it is the means by which we disengage from the never ending flood of social media postings, ‘breaking news’ items, and even that dreadful office gossip (as tempting as it might seem).

In doing so, we realize the spaciousness our own inner peace. It is within this space, that there is no ‘need’ for labels.

3. Let Kindness Be Your Practice: Sometimes we might wonder, why should we act with kindness in a space where others dare not tread? When instances in our everyday are fraught with violence, misunderstanding, and hatred?

You might say to inspire our own Buddha-heart. Though, ultimately – isn’t it the other way around? For how might anyone know the energy of grace were it not shared in these moments in between?

Would we ever truly know the depth of compassion were it not for the manner in which it was tested?

The truth is we share the energy of kindness, so that others might eventually learn.

We practice heart, by leading with heart. And, the heart has no criticisms to share.

4. Find Your Way Home: It can be a terrifying prospect to face our own weakness. Our pulse may quicken, and stomachs wrench under the pressures of finally peeking behind life’s door…to find out more of who we really are.

We may recoil, we may regret—but, we must always remember, “Perfection is found in our coming home.”

And, we must always find our way home, again. Though the road may be fraught with challenge and upset– trust, there is purpose to each endeavor.

Through our instability, we find strength and focus. And, through imperfection, an unwavering resolve.

But, you’ll never, ever find it, my loves—if you’re too afraid of ‘coming home.’

Because, ‘coming home’ offers perspective—a moment to pause, to reflect, to begin again.

“As wave is driven by wave
And each, pursued, pursues the wave ahead,
So time flies on and follows, flies, and follows,
Always, for ever and new. What was before
Is left behind; what never was is now;
And every passing moment is renewed.” ― Ovid, Metamorphoses

Just like the wave, we are constantly changing—and, with each new change our world is transformed.

And, oh my goodness—who could ever dare to limit it? In fact, perhaps it’s just what makes this life so very much worth living?