mjd offerings p. 42

it's ok to still be raw, be numb - i am. this was a shock - for me, the grief has everything to do with what was validated by so many. my heart is still fluttery with anxiety. but less than yesterday. 

so the fact remains -

we are here

now.

we are not in uncharted waters - history gives us much guidance for cases like this. 

we have seen that people with conviction, love and compassion can move mountains in the face of adversity. so let's start (in a focused and intentioned way) strengthening and stretching those muscles.

perhaps we begin thinking about metta practice or loving kindness meditation. 

the idea that 'just as i want to be happy, all beings want to be happy'

it starts with directing it towards the self - 

because how can we help others if we are not taking care of ourselves?

metta progresses - 

from "i"

to a benefactor

a being(s) for whom you feel love

a being(s) for whom you feel neutral 

a being(s) for whom your feelings are conflicted 

thich nhat hanh gives us this to work with:

may i be peaceful, happy and light in body and spirit

may i be safe and free from injury

may i be free from anger, afflictions, fear and anxiety.

as your practice progresses, 

you will recite this with 'i', with 's/he' and 'they'.

but we aren't at the end yet. 

we're at the beginning. 

let's start with love - 

loving ourselves so we can extend love to others in a healthy way -

and kindness.

you are a light in the darkness

you are important and necessary

you are allowed to be sad and disappointed (or whatever you are feeling)

but please don't get stuck there. 

we can do this - 

together. 

it's been done before and we can continue the tradition. 

namaste -  

on practice, quiet and intention

sitting with the last light - mjd 2013

i had the great good fortune to hear thich nhat hanh speak in manhattan today.

it was calm

and beautiful,

encouraging 

and thought provoking.

one concept sitting deeply with me

is his discussion on

compassionate listening

and loving speech. 

can we listen

openly

and without interruption

while someone speaks to us 

of their suffering?

especially when it has been at our own hand?

can you wait 3 or 4 days 

(as he suggests)

to clarify any misperceptions?

as a person who cringes

at any sign of conflict,

i feel a strong need 

to resolve things

talk them out

explain myself

when my world gets disharmonious.

i get right speech.

i will bite right through my tongue 

over saying something that will wound someone. 

that's the truth - 

because i know how words

can carve into your heart

and not be resolved by

'i'm sorry.'

this practice will be good

for me and my kids. 

bumpy ride expected - 

but at least it will be

in the name of kindness

understanding 

and love. 

small stash of metal bits discovered

karma - 2013

'actions send out ripples.

karma brings it back,'

so said a wise woman to me.

turquoise, amethyst and lapis

stones associated with karma 

 be still - 2013

in stillness,

one feels

both floatingly heady 

and deeply rooted.

our world, 

our lives

are fiercely beautiful

and command our attention.

are you present?

sparkling iolite and earthy vesuvianite 

joy - 2013

'smile, breathe and go slowly.'

thich nhat hanh

embrace joy.

turquoise and carnelian

no mud, no lotus -

this little gem of thich nhat hanh's has become something of a mantra for me.

i found myself slogging about in the mud without wellies on these past few months.

without wellies perhaps,

but abundantly with

the love

kindness

compassion

concern

and generosity

of others.

for this, i thank you -

'breathe' made manifest

a follow up to my last post ~ and for the wonderful comments received, i thank you...

one always feels better when something gets done after a hiatus of creating ~ am i right? you wonder if all inspiration has deserted you... it's there, just needs the opportunity, i guess...

here's how i used the tiny little charm that kept me centered... it keeps wonderful company with a stoneware link from mellisa at chinook jewelry designs, four different lampwork glass beads from mary ann at linden avenue designs & an ivory glass bead from cate at zippybeads... united with copper chain and wire that i antiqued to soften the effect... paddled headpins were made because i felt they had better 'flow' with their unbroken line... earthy, rustic, understated, natural - just like breathing...

thich nhat hanh, the vietnamese buddhist monk, teaches a practice of mindful breathing and has a meditation poem to go along with it...

in, out
deep, slow
calm, ease
smile, release
present moment, wonderful moment