The Well of Grief, David Whyte
Those who will not slip beneath the still surface on the well of grief turning down to its black water to the place that we can not breathe will never know the source from which we drink the secret water cold and clear nor find in the darkness the small gold coins thrown by those […]
The Journey, Mary Oliver
One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice — though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. “Mend my life!” each voice cried. But you didn’t stop. You knew what you had to […]
On Commitment, by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Until one is committed, there is always hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help […]
Mindful Eating ~ First Four Bites
Cultivate Mindfulness and Presence through the First Four Bites of any meal Take a bite, put the fork (spoon, chopsticks, apple, sandwich, whatever is in your hands) down! Enjoy breathing all the way in, all the way out and all the way in again. One and a half conscious breaths. And say to your self, […]
The Five Contemplations
There are many versions of the Five Contemplations Before Eating. All based loosely on traditional Buddhist teachings. Reading them aloud is a beautiful way to begin a meal. These are from the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism founded by my teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. This is the current version I recite myself. This food […]