Tag: peace

This Path to Our Awakening.

Sometimes our awakening happens slowly, like the softened hues overtaking a twilight sky. Though often, there is a catalyst – a triggering of events so powerful that it momentarily knocks us to the ground.   In both cases, however, the path is shared – each effecting a shifting of heart, hope and light. Our lives are in perpetual motion, with balance achieved through the choices made.

“Every spiritual tradition has stories of those who have awakened from their usual dreamlike state to a sacred way of being,” Jack Kornfield writes. “Through initiation, purification, or prayer, or by a great spacious surrender to the dance of life, they come to know that which is ever-present and holy.” They come to know the energy of living.

And just as we know the sun will always rise, so too do we recognize the presence of its potential – the potential which may ultimately serve to transform, to change, to forever alter. Even though we may feel, at times, that we are standing still – stuck in a rut of our own design – trust that we are in constant motion, limited only by our willingness to receive.

My friends, today I wish you the blessing of openness  and peace. May it share its light within each bright and beautiful step…

In peace…

Namaste ❣

How to Find Awareness (Without Losing Your Way).

When I first learned to meditate I was taught to sit upright, holding onto my thoughts as the pattern of breath finally emerged. I recall the formality of the process, how the energy of the room seemed so unnatural and forboding. As if the slightest mistep would somehow void the value of the experience. Is there any wonder why so many of us failed?

If only the instructions had been a bit more forgiving, many of the students (myself included) may have stayed – encouraged to stay the course along an unfamiliar road. Instead, we crafted excuses from the pitch of our overwhelmedness as fear imposed its hefty barrier.

It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that there was, indeed, another way. One that invited the engagement of all our senses, enlisted their help in this process of discovery.

‘Just sit for a while and listen to your breath.  Try not to let the thoughts intrude.’ My instructor was a portly old gentleman with smiling eyes and a sense of wonderment that could fill a room. Even in the midst of the most unfavorable of circumstances, he seemed so very centered and unaffected. He knew these moments to be passing, at best. That we must welcome their presence with thoughtful courage.

In The Miracle of Mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh explores the aperture of meditative awareness – inviting us to explore its depths. I’d like to share his teachings here:

‘Someone might well ask: is relaxation then the only goal of meditation? In fact the goal of meditation goes much deeper than that. While relaxation is the necessary point of departure, once one has realized relaxation, it is possible to realize a tranquil heart and clear mind. To realize a tranquil heart and clear mind is to have gone far along the path of meditation.

There is a temptation to look upon them, or at least some of them, as an enemy force which is trying to disturb the concentration and understanding of your mind. But, in fact, when we are angry, we ourselves are anger. When we are happy, we ourselves are happiness. When we have certain thoughts, we are those thoughts. We are both the guard and the visitor at the same time. We are both the mind and the observer of the mind. Therefore, chasing away or dwelling on any thought isn’t the important thing. The important thing is to be aware of the thought. ‘

In this short passage, he not only simplifies – he redefines the interelationship between ‘life as we know it’ and ‘life at its fullest’. When we are happy, we are happiness; and, when we are peaceful – we, ourselves, are peace. In this way, our awareness is continuously revealed.

In peace, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❣

The Breaking of Old to Become Anew.

I knew a woman once who seemed constantly angry. Her heart was in the right place, I’m sure – wanting desperately to create harmony and balance in her world. However, as the energy cycled, it would draw her more deeply into the abyss – evidence of it’s unmistakable attraction.

“I just don’t know what to do,” she said reaching for her tea. Hot plumes of steam rose unceremoniously into the air – yet still, she drank…scalding the delicate tissues of her lips and tongue. Cursing her ‘misfortune’, she threw the mug to floor – shattering it into a pile of empty pieces.

I thought of the five remembrances: “My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.” How could she not see the impact of her own behavior? She wanted to meet people, find joy and hopefully someday settle down. And yet, she continued to work double overtime on night shifts, causing her to sleep most of the next day. She wanted so much more, though time and time again – refused to make room.

In his book, Five Invitations: What Death Can Teach About Living, Frank Ostaseski encourages us to find a place of rest amidst the clamor of distraction. “We often think of rest as something that will come to us when everything else in our lives is complete: At the end of the day, when we take a bath; once we go on holiday or get through all our to-do lists. We imagine that we can only find rest by changing our circumstances.”

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

Pure joy comes to us in the space between breaths, when distractions of life are momentarily lifted. In that brief instance, we are able to separate ourselves from the lure of our condition. In assuming it cannot last, we do nothing to actively encourage its presence

What choices do you make each day? More importantly, which choices do you tend to push away? Is it a matter of convenience or worth?

In some cases, we push away what we feel is not ours to have. Though, more often, we accept the consequences of old habits because we don’t understand how to break them. As a result, we become resigned to them –  convinced that there is no other way.

But, the truth is, every moment is an invitation – a reminder to step outside the confines of our shell to experience this life fully on our terms. We experience what we choose to engage- both good and bad. Likewise, through its reflection we find the path to lasting peace.

A little something to consider, my friends…

With much love…namaste ❣

Sustaining Joy.

Each of us can reflect on a moment of inspiration; something magnificent that stirred our heart, effecting an outpouring of gratitude. It may have been a fiery sunset, offering it’s comfort in the wake of a passing storm. Or, the way in which a caterpillar sits – waiting patiently for his imminent ascension. And as our gratitude deepens, it gives rise to joy.

Though, how do we sustain that which is fleeting? As new challenges arise, as they inevitably will, how do we remain open to an experience which can hasten our joy?

As children, we learn the ‘art of balance’ through heroic leaps – scurrying fearlessly to the highest point where the branches break to open sky. And, transfixed by a single patch of pale blue we believe – with one more stretch we can reach the clouds. Though we may feel fear, it does nothing to impede our quest for adventure. A child never worries over the matter of impermanence knowing the next pocket of joy is never too far from home.

Though as time progresses, so do our wounds. In time, our fear becoming greater than any ‘need’ might compel. If only we could appreciate our circumstances as they are truly intended – a catalyst to an endless stream; an awakening to our heart’s greatest joy.

“Gratitude,” Jack Kornfield writes, “is a gracious acknowledgment of all that sustains us, a bow to our blessings, both great and small. Gratitude is confidence in life itself. In it we feel how the same force that pushes grass through cracks in the sidewalk invigorates our own life. … Gratitude receives in wonder the myriad offers of rain and sunlight, the care that supports every single life.”

Between the leaves, the light playfully dances – encouraged by the promise of a flourishing rain. When we can finally see from the vantage of ‘sacred’, everything flows. Nothing is ever truly lost, rather – it becomes.

In peace, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❣

With Gratitude As Our Teacher.

I was lucky to have grown up in a ‘giving’ household. Every weekend was marked by a flurry of activities, as my mother worked tirelessly to prepare for the guests who might visit.

We never knew who might drop by, though rest assured, there was always a space left open at the table. Even if only symbolic in nature, this practice of generosity and openess served as the focal point for the home. For me, it served as an essential beginning – a place of rest in an often unforgiving world.

Even today, when I feel myself succumbing to the stress – I take a breath, close my eyes…and rest knowing that this moment is never without compromise.

Try as we might, it’s often difficult to disentangle the role of actor and observer. In a perfect world, our presence would be umarred by inner dialogue – our experiences deepened by the subtle things which stir our soul. In time, we’d learn to place the long breath of gratitude before the bias of ego.

In his poem, The Waking, Theodore Roethke presents an avenue for self-exploration:

“Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me, so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow.
I learn by going where I have to go.”

To some, the light defines – fixing itself upon the crisp edges and thereby limiting. While, to others, the light enriches – offering new ‘paths’ ripe for discovery.

For me, the light of gratitude has – and shall always be – my greatest teacher.

In peace, sweet friends..

Namaste ❣

The Roots of Nonviolence.

There was a question posed during this weekend’s meditation – what is the nonviolent response to violence? That is to say, how do we effect the essence of peace in a world that has become increasingly intolerant? More specifically, how do we change that which is so deeply ingrained?

Our habit begs immediate reaction, though to what end? We want to see the outcome of our labor – now, not later…not, ‘in time’. Though, our response is often steeped in visceral emotions further complicated by the obstinannce of ego. In these clouded thoughts, we often lose our way; we forget how it feels to know a strong and lasting peace.

The moment we visit the headlines we feel oddly unsuited – separate from an all too familiar whole. And, because we don’t understand we become further isolated. Our breath reminds, though is it enough?

Author and Zen Buddhist Greg Snyder writes: “The Buddha was clear: thinking is action, and action has effects…if we want this violence in our nation to end, each of us has to do the work of clarifying the ways we have internalized and normalized the lethal opposition of domination and humiliation in response to life.”

Yes, we may fear – though, fear does not own us. How we treat others – the actions arising from thought – this is what defines us. And everything we wish – equanimity, peace, kindness – must find it’s roots first in the heart’s fertile soil.

In peace, my friends…

Namaste ❣

Where Do We Go From Here?

We are living in profoundly turbulent times, though, we are not bound by them. Rather, we are the source and substance of our own experience.

And it is only through great compassion, both for ourselves and others, that we may begin to understand and subsequently weather through the influence of our fears.

This most recent wave of violence has touched many hearts. Likewise, it has marked the full weight of our despair. We feel powerless to help, yet still we try.

Why?

Because, in our heart we know what must be done.

We must be willing to look within, to disentangle the complexity of our feelings from the greater need. The world is under siege, but we – we are its legacy. Even when we are not yet ready.

There is a poem written by Desmond and Mpho Tutu; one which extends an invitation to heal.

“I want to be willing to forgive
But I dare not ask for the will to forgive
In case you give it to me
And I am not yet ready
I am not yet ready for my heart to soften
I am not yet ready to be vulnerable again
Not yet ready to see that there is humanity in my tormentor’s eyes
Or that the one who hurt me may also have cried
I am at the prayer before the prayer of forgiveness
I am not yet ready for the journey
I am not yet interested in the path
Grant me the will to want to forgive
Grant it to me not yet but soon.”

The anger and horror that we feel is a slow poison, further isolating and robbing us of our peace. We are locked in the nightmare, until we awaken.

Though we may not yet be ready to forgive – the capacity is always there…and that’s what binds us as humans.

In peace, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❣️

The Nature of Our Perfection.

I had a dear friend who suffered numerous mental breakdowns.Initially occurring solely during crisis-when the heart and mind became so misaligned that there was very few, if any other, outcome.

As the disease progressed, her conditioned worsened – paranoia peaking in moments of great duress. “I wish they could see what I see,” she once shared, referring to those who judged her. She was so consumed by their perception – how she looked, dressed, acted…little things, like the way she wore her hair.

Everything had a purpose, and that was to hide – to assume a mask of seemingly greater value. Though, one day, when she had an argument with a neighbor the entirety of her charade came crashing down.

“You crazy (expletive)” the neighbor snarled.

It didn’t matter whether he was ‘wrong’ or ‘right’ (if there ever was such a thing). What mattered more was the nature of his judgement; the act of being seen through another’s eyes.

We go through each day judging ourselves, our experiences and other people. The habit becoming so deeply ingrained that we fail to recognize our commonality. We are perfection, and likewise an empty vessel. We seek to find, to learn and to grow.

But when our mind is jaded, we see only the flaws and doubt in our journey. Reflected always before us – in everything we see, touch and engage.

“Tell me, my friend,” she said in a moment of clarity, “How are you any different? Do we not each travel this path in our own way?”

Each of us has a part, and each of us has a place. Where we differ is in our willingness to acknowledge the degree in which we are all the same. We have hopes, we have dreams and we all wish for peace.

Sending love, my sweet friends…

Namaste ❣️

Letting Peace Manifest.

There’s a vastness that occurs in the depths of morning sky; one so engaging and rich, it has the capacity to quiet even the most unsettled of souls. As if the sun herself were conspiring to melt all our troubles of world.

Day after day, we stand before it – awestruck and hoping for release. Our eyes keen to the subtle shiftings of light breaking through, time and time again. It is a wisdom larger than any heart may compel; one vested in the reminder of our continuous renewal.

And, marking this moment to begin again, we brush off the layers of dust and dirt, right our smile and effect a new course…empowered simply by our surrender.

“Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness,” Chuang Tzu writes. “Make no room for personal view.” Let the magic of this morning find you, my friends. And, when it does – let it manifest.

In peace…

Namaste ❣️

This Balance of Courage.

The ritual of our mindfulness practice teaches us patience. Though, even more so, it demonstrate the need for a ‘balanced hand’ – fairness within a building turmoil, equanimity where injustice refuses to bend.

As practitioners, we are encouraged to cultivate peace within our hearts; to lend softness against formerly immutable edges. Though, how do we accomplish when our path is uncertain? How do we offer light as our own diminishes?

Do we abandon the entirety of our principles for the one that feels threatened? Can you imagine our world had ideology conceded to gentle wavering?

There’d be no Rosa Parks, nor Mahatma Ghandi – the legacy of their journey forever lost, rescinded under the weight of a looming doubt. How might we be enriched were it not for their struggle?

If anything, our insights and our actions must go together. We must strive to create our bonds through shared understanding. And knowing, in the end, that “we are all just walking each other home.”

A lasting peace can not be realized through the absence of pain. Rather, it must be forged by way of opportunity and courage.

In peace…

Namaste ❣️