Embodying Forgiveness and Love

Thich Nhat Hahn led a meditation retreat with Vietnam Veterins in New York. He speaks about forgiveness in the context of this war and how to make peace your practice of meditation in practice; active meditation and action to relieve the suffering around you and within you. Deep looking, and deep acting. There is also some description of Thay's formation and social activism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY

Meditation on the End of Suffering

A beautiful meditation by Thich Nhat Hahn (and read by him) set to a beautiful musical background. May the sound of the bell inspire you to greater compassion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMab_lYY5lE

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolution

Well, I did it again, bringing in

that infant Purity across the land,

welcoming Innocence with gin

in New York, waiting up

to help Chicago,

Denver, L.A., Fairbanks, Honolulu-

and now the high school bands are alienating Dallas,

and girls in gold and tangerine

have lost all touch with Pasadena,

and young men with muscles and missing teeth

are dreaming of personal fouls,

and it's all beginning again, just like

those other Januaries in

instant reply.

But I've had enough

of turning to look back, the old

post-morteming of defeat:

people I loved but didn't touch,

friends I haven't seen for years,

strangers who smiled but didn't speak--failures,

failures. No,

I refuse to leave it at that, because

somewhere, off camera,

January is coming like Venus

up from the murk of December, re-virginized, as innocent

of loss as any dawn. Resolved: this year

I'm going to break my losing streak,

I'm going to stay alert, reach out,

speak when not spoken to,

read the minds of people in the streets.

I'm going to practice every day,

stay in training, and be moderate

in all things.

All things but love.

~ Philip Appleman ~ (New and Selected Poems, 1956-1996)

All You Need Is Love

Follow the link to help fight AIDS worldwide.


http://www.starbucksloveproject.com/#/main/

New Year's Day 2010 at Hawkscry

There is always a certain anxiousness about this day. We are never sure the weather will permit us to get up the road. This year we pretty much cast discretion to the winds and decided to go ahead with it in spite of dire predictions of cold and snow. Indeed the day started off pretty ominously with gray clouds, wind, and cold temperatures. There was snow on the ground and some in the air too, so we weren't sure the winding roads were safe. Many of our friends expressed their trepidation about making the trip. A big thanks to Charlie and Suzie (great encouragers they) who came up early and stayed late (Ray too) to help clean up. Here you see Claire and Amanda discussing philosophy with Cara the dog.

We were not dissuaded however, and richly rewarded in the company of 20 adventurous souls (or perhaps just hungry for some spiritual grounding to ring in the day of 2010.) As old and new friends arrived, patches of blue peeked through the gray clouds, and eventually much of the sky did turn blue over the course of our celebration, the dazzling winter sun bathing all in a shiny brightness, lifting spirits, and adding much needed warmth. Here Jane, Kendal, and Pattie get something to eat.




We shared a Buddhist medicine chant from Tibet for personal and world healing, passing votive candles around the circle while chanting in unison. What a beautiful scene everyone holding their points of light in their palms. To underscore the joy that nature brings us many added their own personal thoughts about how nature brings them joy by saying, "I smile when... and telling of how they derive joy from the natural world.






The feast was sumptuous, with so many savory delights. I can't really remember who brought what, but my personal favorite was Ray's fabulous Berri pie from berries grown on her property and real whipped cream!!













Claudette came up too. It is always nice to share this day with her, our steadfast friend who has helped us look after the property for so many years now. She continues to manage her little farm below us with a mother's care, tenderly caring for her plants and bird friends with great heart.




Art and Sarah's little dog Talley came too, but stayed outside for fear of a turf tussle between her and Cara, our dog





Megan and Tina's little girl pretty much took center stage, kissing Buddha, chanting his name, and generally presiding over the ceremony with a zen masters calm.

Ray and Patty (and me) got carried away with This little light of Mine, a spontaneous outburst of optimism and joy.

Claudette, Suzie, and Roberta listen to the shared wisdom of individual stories and poems.

Sharing our first day meal together, a great way to start the New Year off!

You can see how bright it is outside now!

Our alter!

The Inner Landscape of Beauty

NPR Speaking of faith interview with John O'Donohue who speaks about the inter-twining of spiritual and material, visible and invisible.

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/john_odonahue/

Do It Now (Rumi)

May this beautiful setting of Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks) to a lovely adagio by Safri Duo bring joy and courage to you. May we all learn to break free from the limitation of self doubt about our true worth. Every heart yearns to break out of this prison and to walk into the world as if suddenly born into color.

Do it Now. Take possession of your Divine birthright.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2nYZSoIMY8&NR=1&feature=fvwp