Tag: grace

In This We Are Revealed.

One of the most important questions we may face in our spiritual journey forces a full and inward examination, divested of all material reasoning. That is, how may we reconcile a heart of giving with one that has suffered an an immeasurable loss?

Are the values which draw us nearer – empathy, patience, equanimity and love – the same which open us to pain? And, once exposed, do we lose or do we gain?

How easily we are swayed by the permanence of loss. We assume it’s lasting effects – a void that can never be filled. But even a hole can be warmed by the sun. In time, its edges may fade yielding a new luminance in the broken, jagged stone.

Knowing this, can we find heart enough to ‘excuse’ its crime? The imprint of lesson left behind?

My friends, oh how could we have known – just as we are broken, we are subsequently revealed.

In peace and Happy Thanksgiving to all…

Namaste ❣️

A Tenuring of Spirit.

I remember working in a small coffee shop on the North Shore of Hawaii. It was a meager wage, given the nature of the work to be done – nonstop from dawn till dusk; though, I was grateful nonetheless.

The coffee roaster would arrive in the earliest hours of morning, well before the first cup was poured. I remember him standing over the glowing coals of the makeshift roaster with wooden paddle in hand, leaning and listening for the sounds of transformation to begin.

“You hear that?” he’d shout over the grinding of roaster blades. “You can’t ever rush it. You have to let ’em tell you when they’re done.”

Most would have considered the job too grueling – particularly, at less than standard wage. And yet, for this wiry old man – the heat, the dust, the aching muscles and dripping sweat – was, in its own way, ‘perfection’.

While some may term this a ‘labor of love’, isn’t it more so a tenuring of spirit? A moment in which longer held ‘truths’ are dispelled, and matters of heart rest in leaves of courage.

We’d talk for hours, he and I – contemplating the wonders of life against the endlessness of horizon. How can one consider as ‘work’ that which ultimately delivers our peace?

Even these much smaller moments, my loves – have the capacity to transform and heal. Surround yourself with these everyday miracles – a blue sky, white fluffy clouds, and a moment shared over coffee with a friend.

A little something to consider, my friends ~ with love and peace…

Namaste ❤

Living Gently Upon This Earth.

Joan Chittister writes that it is our awareness of the sacred which holds this world together; that even the darkness deserves our gratitude.

Though how might we treat each day with equanimity, allowing the benefit of experience to light our way? And, how do we preserve the light of truth when the driving rains threaten its flame?

As humans, we tend to hold our heart in isolation, further divided by passing labels. In the throes of upset, the chest tightens and the breath draws in. And we may then pull away, ‘knowing’ our destiny before it’s revealed. Even though the energy of any moment quickly dissipated, still we fixate…we feel beholden.

Yet, ask yourself – what is it that you’re clinging to? The promise of passing or the reasonability of endurance?

And, stepping into the fullness of our role within this – that is to extent ‘the light of our own souls to the dim places around us’ and live gently upon this earth.

In peace…

Namaste ❤

A Matter of Heart.

What compels your heart, my loves?

Is it the lingering touch of compassion’s hand; or, the might of a faith soon restored?

Does it walk beside lending its grace to the softer sublimations of will?

Is it a child absent the pause, shielding joy in a space of undeterred?

Will it know you within the morning breeze; the contrast of crisp against the pallor of cheek?

And, when it finds you – my dearest loves, will you accept its presence?

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

This Privilege of Seeing.

I was thinking this morning about a dear friend’s pain. He’d been unjustly attacked, injured through another’s words.

In the aftermath, we talked. Though, mind shared the blessing of logic — heart hadn’t yet fully yielded to understanding. It reminded me of a passage from 8th century Buddhist master, Padmasambhava.

Reading simply;

“I am present in front in front of anyone who has faith in me. Just as the moon casts its reflection effortlessly in any vessel filled with water.”

As I look out into this world, I am inspired — and often overwhelmed by the miracles manifested before me. I see the canopy of centuries-old trees, bowing before me. And the heron’s fluid ascent, graceful – yet, powerful. And the willows whispering their blessings of day.

Difficulty is often our path, my loves.

Though painful, at times — it serves to enrich; to widen our hearts through an aspect of vulnerability. In doing so, we are granted the divine privilege of seeing this world through empathetic eyes; of recognizing the perfection of imperfection. Only then, may we truly connect to another’s heart.

When another is unkind, I remember this lesson: that the outline of the moon in encouraged through the depths of our own experiences.

In peace, my loves…

Namaste <3

The Hummingbird’s Grace.

I met a young man outside the garden center today. His eyes transfixed on a ruby crested prize, a hummingbird paying homage to morning.

“You know the thing about hummingbirds,” he smiled and said. “They can do darned near anything; they don’t stop and they never wear.”

He went on to explain their miracle of heart, visiting tens of thousands of flowers per day at a pace of just over 75,000 beats per hour.

And further, the Joyas Volardores – or ‘flying jewels’ as they’re called – are capable of flying over 500 miles with barely a moment’s rest.

Indeed, with a heart no bigger than an infant’s fingernail… these fearless explorers pause for no man. They take their risks, and fly towards ‘freedom’ ~ following, at will, their spirit’s yearning.

And yet, still, they always seem to find time for me ~ to offer these blessings of day from the vantage of my windowsill.

I suppose there’s a lot to be learned, don’t you think? That we might likewise learn the Hummingbird’s grace.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

This Promise of Day.

I woke to see the sunrise today.

When was the last time you did so, my loves? To stand alone at the cusp of a brand new day? To watch the moon bow fleetingly to dawn, and revel in the grace of her beauty?

It’s their merging which lends the miracle, I’m told; enchanted moments gifted only to the beholder.

“Ô, Sunlight!,” writes Payne. “The most precious gold to be found on Earth.”

Her radiance breaking through the edge of night, and begging eternity’s most-pressing question. Until, at once, she stands alone – a reflection upon the frailty of this one, precious human life.

We are but momentary glimpses, my loves. Though, just as the dawn, our light prevails.

And within each new sunrise, hope’s promise begins.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

The Gift of Knowing Grace.

Sometimes we might wonder, why should we act with kindness in a space where others dare not to 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?

My darlings, we share the energy of kindness and grace, so that others might eventually learn.

We practice heart, by leading with heart; this is where the true practice begins – building upon that which was once graciously shared.

And, we heal simply through the strength of our being.

Namaste, my dearest friends – and thank you for your messages of kindness and love; I shall respond (in time) to each and every one. ❤️

The Little Boy Who Came to Visit Me Today.

I heard a little one tapping at my door this morning. Behind him, his angry father – all red faced and huffing.

“Tell her what you did,” he shouted, pointing to a nearly imperceptible dent on my car’s passenger door. ”

Looking downward, he sniffled in the longest of breaths, “I’m sorry,” he whimpered  “it was an accident.”

“Well, then,” I smiled, shifting down to one knee. “It’s a good thing it was ‘an accident’ and not an ‘on purpose.'”

And, taking his little hand into mine, we walked over to ‘assess the grave damage.’  “Now, tell me,” I asked “how can something so small be the source of so much sadness?”

Oh, but don’t we all have those moments? When something so seemingly inconsequential has suddenly pulled us in?

In an instant, we become hooked by our own knee-jerk reaction. We say things we don’t mean, and act in ways which do not serve our purpose. But, worst of all, in those split-second-never-take-back moments – we lose sight of that which matters most of all.

We forget the loving hearts which are waiting so patiently for our ‘arrival’ on the other end.

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ll ever have my car door repaired. As I could think of no better reminder, to keep one’s heart focused on those much bigger things.

In fact, every time I look to this door, I’ll think of the little heart who came to visit me today.

A Masterpiece of Grace.

I remember once as a young mother, I had been sick with a terrible flu. With barely enough energy to move, I looked over to the stack of dirty dishes teetering precariously in the sink. And, then over to the table on the left – a massive pile of laundry still waiting to be folded.

“Mommy, you sleep,” offered my little one. “I can do this.” He was just four-years-old at the time, but still with enough presence of heart to extend a helping hand.

I drifted off to the sound of rushing water and clinking plates. “I’m doing for you, Mommy,” sounded a little voice from the kitchen.

As I opened my eyes, I saw him standing there, proudly, on ‘tippy toes’ next to the kitchen sink. He had fashioned one of our dining room chairs into a make-shift stepping stool. And though, he was covered nearly waist-deep in soap bubbles…behind him, those dishes were cleaned.

“Lexy, quiet,” he hushed. His little sister was just beginning to stir from her nap. And, like the little trooper that he was, he was already rushing to give her a bottle.

It was a moment of divine grace.

“It is a whisper of feeling, almost intangible,” writes author, Mary Traina. “Yet it is powerful. Suddenly you are in a different space. You feel almost weightless. The air is still, your breathing is slow, but what you are experiencing is clean and clear. You have been touched by a moment of pure grace.”

I’ve always believed grace to be one of life’s greatest treasures. A sudden miracle, basked in the light of loving-kindness – reminding us, that there is so much more to this life than we might ever have imagined.

The Buddha saw grace in the ordinary kind heart of a child – who, upon seeing someone starving, offered, “Please, you must eat.”

Grace always seems to find us in this way; a flickering of hope in an otherwise weary world.

In the spiritual sense, it is a moment marked by the warmth of loving-kindness; a tenderness with the capacity to transcend even our darkest of spaces.

“You are so weak,” offers Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī. “Give up to grace. The ocean takes care of each wave till it gets to shore. You need more help than you know.”

Indeed, we do need more help than we may know. And yet, our hearts seem so closed to this idea of dependance. How easily we’ve forgotten that it’s these moments of grace, which help to beautify our world.

But, only when we allow ourselves to remain open to them. To slow down, to lean in…to listen.

And, realize – that we are a masterpiece of grace.