Mindfulness

Chasing After the Light.

[blockquote source=”Pema Chödrön”]”There comes a time when the bubble of ego is popped and you can’t get the ground back for an extended period of time.Those times, when you absolutely cannot get it back together, are the most rich and powerful times in our lives.”[/blockquote]

My darlings, this teaching came to mind earlier week when my daughter experienced a terrible upset. In that moment, she was overwhelmed with emotion – and uncertain of her ‘way forward.’

It can feel particularly unsettling to be ripped from the security of our comfort zone. But, it’s precisely within these moments – of fear, of upset, and uncertainty – that we are presented the greatest potential to change.

And, what we must always remember – is that within each of these moments, there *is* a gift.

The gift of understanding…

The gift of knowing…

The gift of empowerment and resilience…

And, perhaps the greatest gift of all ~ that of being able to move a little closer to self.

I like to think that with each earth shattering, catastrophic unsettledness ~ that the most hardened parts of our ego, experience the greatest ‘softening.’

And, in the end… isn’t that the most miraculous aspect of our journey? That even within the darkest of moments, a little light *always* finds its way through.

So, stop chasing after that light, my darlings ~ don’t you know it’s been right there within you, all along?

Namaste, my dears ~ and much love on this most glorious day.

The Art of Bodhisattva Listening.

[blockquote source=”Mark Nepo”]”“The exquisite risk is a doorway that lets us experience the extraordinary in the ordinary.”[/blockquote]

In his book, The Exquisite Risk, Mark Nepo tells the story of a dear friend who began to slowly lose her sense of hearing. With each conversation she found herself straining to hear all the words, until one day – she began to ‘listen’ in an entirely new way. Leaning in, she could see the subtle changes in body movement and gesture, the delightful warmth of those ‘smiling eyes’ – and, more importantly, she began to see the ‘face behind the face.’

Suddenly, a whole new world revealed itself to her – and, through the guise, and blessing, of this ‘disability.’

Ironically, it was through the loss of her senses that she ultimately gained awareness.

There’s an important question to be asked here, that is – how do we remain open to our pain, “to make our way through the drama of our bleeding to the stripping of our will, through the tensions of our suffering to the humility of surrender where we might learn the ordinary art of living at the pace of what is real.”

In other words, how do we begin to listen to that which truly matters? To slow down, and experience this life at the pace at which it was intended?

“We don’t have to go far to know this,” Nepo observes. “For our suffering quickly breaks down what we think we know and have to say into a more authentic and humble taste of being and feeling.”

Whether through illness or injury or the myriad of life’s circumstances—inevitably, we will face our greatest challenge yet:

To struggle through complacency or risk being new.

“For being human, we remember and forget. We stray and return, fall down and get up, and cling and let go, again and again. But it is this straying and returning that makes life interesting, this clinging and letting go—damned as it is—that exercises the heart.” – Mark Nepo

Indeed, it is only through this exercise of heart—that we may begin awaken that which has been with us all along; that is, the true spirit of the bodhisattva warrior.

And, did you know that when you’re still enough you can finally hear that heart whisper?

Learning to Appreciate the Finer Things.

[blockquote source=”Pema Chödrön”]“Like all explorers, we are drawn to discover what’s out there without knowing yet if we have the courage to face it.”[/blockquote]

I was asked the other day, “What is the right way to meditate?”

And though, there are many schools of thought on just this very topic – and, probably many more hundreds of pages written – I’ve always gravitated towards a far less complicated approach;

That is to just simply be.

Try not to litter this path with the expectations and formalities of what must be.  Remember, we need not begin as ‘experts’ on a journey that is intended to awaken.

Instead, why not learn to sit a while, relax…and simply breathe?

The ‘right way’ will be revealed to you – let the stillness speak. And, open your heart to all those things which have been kept hidden from your ‘view’.

My darlings, it’s high time we learned to appreciate these finer ‘textures’ of our being.

Now, there’s a little food for thought on this, as of yet, still sleepy morning.

Be gentle with your delicate souls, my dears ~ and let the light that is you shine through this world.

And, for all those beautiful parents out there, remember:

It’s never too early to start our little one’s on their journey.

In peace, love…and equanimity,

Much love to you, my dearest friends.

The Practice of Discovery.

[blockquote source=”Agnes De Mille”]”Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.”[/blockquote]

My dears, even from the earliest age I remember the excitement of discovery. And on into my later years, I carry that energy with me each and every day.

I’ve kicked over the most stubborn of rocks, and waded through the iciest of streams ~ simply for that one small chance, to discover that which the Universe most wishes me to *see*.

And, do you know what, my dears? In that process, I found the greatest of treasures within.

Oh sure, you can read books and watch television shows, but you’ll never truly know the blessings of dawn unless you poke that nose outdoors.

Neither will you ever know the sweetness of life, without first ‘tasting’ it.

I have always found it ironic, that in wishing for a life of joyful adventure – we end up limiting ourselves.

We dare to dream, yet are afraid to do.

For years, I had longed to be a writer. And yet, whenever presented a ‘blank sheet’ of paper ~ my words became so invariably lost.

Because, my dears – in the absence of belief, indecision takes hold.

Determined, I set out to make writing my daily practice. Initially, I approached it as somewhat of a ‘test’ – hoping to stave off any lessening of my mental acuity. But, in time I found it a refuge.

Isn’t it always the case that exploration leads to discovery? Particularly, with respect to mindfulness where a focussing in leads to an opening up.

Unsatisfied with the limitations of ‘blue’, I looked deeper into that morning sky ~ until the endless permeations of lavender and faded peony completely captured my soul.

“Better than a thousand sayings Made up of useless words Is one word of meaning Which calms you to hear it.” ~ Anonymous, The Dhammapada

Indeed, for in search of that one word of meaning, I learned that…

A summer morning smells of sweet grass and dampened leaves;

A tree really does dance in the breeze;

And that the robins commence their song at precisely 5:23 each day.

But more importantly I learned that there’s no wound compassion can not heal.

And, all this just in the search to find the most perfect word.

Rather amazing, isn’t it – when we are willing to make discovery our practice.

Namaste, my loves ~ <3

The Practice of Open Heart Meditation.

[blockquote source=”Rumi”]“Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open? Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking. Live in silence.”[/blockquote]

I took up meditation about a year ago.

And though, I had tried so many times before – it was never with this much consistency or intention. I hate to think that I had any sort of ‘goal’ going in to it, as I have always believed the ‘gift’ of meditation is in our own personal journey…one that guides us gently through deepest part of our being.

I suppose that’s why I have become so grounded lately, as those little things that used to unravel my spirit – seem suddenly subdued in the wake of my understanding.

In many ways, my meditation practice has become my refuge. I look forward to those moments when my heart may rest gently inside the softness of a simple deepened breath.

In my practice, I have discovered a profound spaciousness. And, it has liberated my very soul.

But, we must be patient for this, my dears. We can’t expect, nor can we ever rush it along. Rather, we must learn to settle in to the tempo of our own awakening.

I think that’s the difficulty many of us face when beginning our meditation practice. We seek immediate gratification for our efforts – some sort of tangible, and potentially ‘earth shattering kaboom’.

But, the heart awakens slowly, my dears – as, it’s been ‘asleep’ for far too many years.

It wants to feel the warmth of sunlight breaking through folds of window shade; it wants to hear the rustling of squirrels racing through the trees; it wants to see the splash of berry through softened green, and the hanging wisps of Wisteria trees.

My dears, your heart is awakening to it all.

I’m reminded of a passage written by 13th century poet, Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī:

“Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.”

I love this passage as it reminds me of the fearless explorers we must often become in this discovery of self. We must be willing to kick over rocks, and wade waist-deep through rushing river waters – all in an effort to move closer to this divine within.

To experience this life in a manner that honors our very existence.

In this way, our meditation practice may come alive. And, through gentle awareness we may begin to release the limitations of our entanglements.

In his article, ‘A Mind Like Sky: Wise Attention Open Awareness‘, author Jack Kornfield discusses awareness;

“Fully absorbed, graciously witnessing, or open and spacious—which of these lenses is the best way to practice awareness? Is there an optimal way to pay attention? The answer is “all of the above.” Awareness is infinitely malleable, and it is important not to fixate on any one form as best.”

My practice today is a reflection of this very principle. And, these days, when I discovery another aspect of myself I never previously knew – it’s much like finding that perfect shell. I could stare into it for hours, gently adjust angles towards the sun – and simply to see what the light might further reveal.

[blockquote source=”Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche”]”Our mind is like hard ground that has not seen water for a long time. As meditation practitioners, we begin to till our mind so that we can grow something, the mind of enlightenment.”[/blockquote]

My dears, this is the basis of meditation – to help us transform our relationship with this world, and create the space for open-hearted existence.

Sipping Sweet Tea With the Peonies.

[blockquote source=”Nicholas Sparks”]”Strange, what being forced to slow down could do to a person.”[/blockquote]

I had a bit of a late start today, and owing to those few extra moments spent puttering around in my garden.

And, though I might try my best to convince you that the garden needed my tending…the truth is, I think it was the other way around.

You see, in the past year, this garden has become my refuge – its lush greens and bowing branches offering me shelter from any of life’s passing ‘storms’.

And on this beautiful day, my roses were calling me.

They don’t seem to mind that I have slowed over these past years. I dare say, they rather like it – as, it’s left them far more time to preen and prattle on.

“Bless his l’il ole heart,” they begin…their whispered ‘sufferings’ carried to the winds. And, shared over a tall glass of sweet tea with my Peonies.

“M’hmm…” they reply.

sigh…

Roses can be such dreadful gossips – but, they are ‘Southern Belles’ , after all. And, they do bear careful reminder – that we must all, at times, slow down.

Like the bud of a flower, change forces our growth. And, we must be willing to yield, my friends – to the uncertainty that will surely follow.

To slow down and settle in, a bit – with the surety of a Southern Belle sipping sweet tea the Peonies.

 

 

The Magic Inside the Bubble.

[blockquote source=”Alan Wilson Watts, Zen and the Beat Way “]”It is interesting that Hindus, when they speak of the creation of the universe do not call it the work of God, they call it the play of God, the Vishnu lila, lila meaning play. And they look upon the whole manifestation of all the universes as a play, as a sport, as a kind of dance…” [/blockquote]

I saw a little boy playing ‘bubbles’ this morning. His grandfather, you see, had arrived the evening before – and these bubbles were just a small token of the many ‘gifts’ he carried with him.

And, with every dip of that wand – he squealed and hopped and lunged his way into the morning’s delight. Bubbles have such a magic about them, and to a little boy – this magic is irresistible.

“You missed one,” his Grandfather shouted…pointing upwards to a lone bubble struggling against the wind. And, with just the slightest hint of a grin to his face – I knew this Grandfather was up to something.

A Grandfather’s grin, you see, is always his ‘tell’.

And, oh how I knew that grin…the grin of ‘something delightful to come.’

Sure enough, just as the little one took off in chase – I watched as the Grandfather pulled a tiny bell from his front coat pocket, and patiently waited for just the right moment.

“Over there,” he shouted as the bubble settled back again to the earth.

And with one final, gloriously grasping leap… the little boy clasped his hands around it, and…

BRRRNNNGGG

There it was, the sound of a bell.

Oh,  and you should have seen the look in this little one’s eyes – I mean, how could a bubble ever ring?

“Grandpa…did you hear..?” he asked, “it made a jingle!!” And, with hands tightly cupped, he walked ever-so-carefully back to his Grandfather’s side.

Ah, such delight a little cleverness might bring…when something as small as a jingle, perfectly timed, can bring a whole world of magic to a little boy’s hands.

“That means, you get a wish,” his Grandfather smiled, “anything you want.”

And, without ever missing a beat, the little boy answered,

“Grandpa, I want more bubbles…”

My dears, isn’t it amazing how these little ones know – that the most perfect day in the world, is the one spent with Grandpa on the front porch blowing bubbles?

There’s a lesson in here for all of us, I’m sure…

But for now, my dears, I must be off – to secure a bell and a Summer’s worth of bubbles. 😉

Many blessings, my dearest friends…and love, to one and all.

A Little Something About Those Splinters.

[blockquote source=”Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening: Having the Life You Want by Being Present to the Life You Have“]

“If peace comes from seeing the whole, then misery stems from a loss of perspective.

We begin so aware and grateful. The sun somehow hangs there in the sky. The little bird sings. The miracle of life just happens. Then we stub our toe, and in that moment of pain, the whole world is reduced to our poor little toe. Now, for a day or two, it is difficult to walk. With every step, we are reminded of our poor little toe.

Our vigilance becomes: Which defines our day-the pinch we feel in walking on a bruised toe, or the miracle still happening?

It is the giving over to smallness that opens us to misery. In truth, we begin taking nothing for granted, grateful that we have enough to eat, that we are well enough to eat. But somehow, through the living of our days, our focus narrows like a camera that shutters down, cropping out the horizon, and one day we’re miffed at a diner because the eggs are runny or the hash isn’t seasoned just the way we like.

When we narrow our focus, the problem seems everything.

We forget when we were lonely, dreaming of a partner. We forget first beholding the beauty of another. We forget the comfort of first being seen and held and heard. When our view shuts down, we’re up in the night annoyed by the way our lover pulls the covers or leaves the dishes in the sink without soaking them first.

In actuality, misery is a moment of suffering allowed to become everything. So, when feeling miserable, we must look wider than what hurts. When feeling a splinter, we must, while trying to remove it, remember there is a body that is not splinter, and a spirit that is not splinter, and a world that is not splinter.”[/blockquote]

My beautiful friends, I wanted to share with you this passage from author, Mark Nepo – and regarding the critical importance of perspective.

It’s true, though, isn’t it? We’ve all stubbed our toe, or bonked our head – or suffered some other sort of unpleasantness. In an instant, that searing pain threatens to upright the sanctity of our ‘settled in-ness.’

Our world collapses into this micro-instance. And, our awareness? Compresses to something no bigger than the size of what a speck might fit.

But like light passing through a keyhole, we see only just a hint of things.

Indeed, when we narrow our focus – the pain seems to be everything.

But, with just the slightest shift of our gaze – we begin to realize, that this moment of pain is not our everything.

And, this suffering – it really isn’t holding you here…but rather, it’s very much the other way around.

It’s in this letting go, my dears, that we can become so very much more.

Much love, and namaste…

 

 

This Path to Freedom.

[pullquote align=”left” background=”on”]In a mind clear as still water, even the waves, breaking, are reflecting its light.”  – Dōgen Zenji[/pullquote]

I was watching a most beautiful documentary yesterday evening, entitled “Path of Freedom” – in which, former inmate Fleet Maull discusses the challenges of true survival in one of our nation’s harshest prisons.

He travels there each week, as part of the Prison Mindfulness program, and in hopes of sharing his insight to these men in need of a much deeper peace.

When 1 in every 100 American is currently serving time in prison – it begs a much deeper question.

Do we work to save those lives? Or, do we merely to discard them?

[blockquote source=”Brother G.”]”First I learned that ‘hurt people hurt people.’ That I lashed out from the pain inside me that I didn’t know what to do with. Then I learned that ‘healed people heal people,’ that my own healing drives me to want to heal others and give back. That lesson is all I needed.”[/blockquote]

Through mindfulness and meditation, Fleet offers these inmates the chance to connect with themselves, ‘to be ok with the soft stuff’, in an environment where there are surrounded by the harsh reality of “hard time.”

In doing so, he shares with them this most beautiful gift of learning to be present in their ‘now.’

“This has an impact on their lives inside prison and, maybe more importantly, gives them a better chance of not returning, if and when, they’re released, therefore making their sentence a chance for enlightenment not just imprisonment.” – Fleet Maul

This film so perfectly demonstrates the importance of mindfulness in our daily lives. It’s not just a means to inner peace, but the mechanism for spiritual transformation.

Path of Freedom – The Book

Go Project Films produced an accompanying book, Path of Freedom: Transformative Programs in America’s Prisons. The book explores innovative approaches to rehabilitation that are thriving in some of the country’s toughest prisons, and features infographics, testimonies from corrections leaders, and articles about transformative programs by Insight-Out, Rehabilitation Through The Arts, Mind Body Awareness Project, ArtSpring, and Prison Mindfulness Institute.

You can download the book as a PDF here. For more information or questions, please contact info@goprojectfilms.com.