Inspiration-To Breathe In
&
A Sudden Brilliant, Creative, Timely Idea
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Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and safe.
Dear Friends,
that you and yours might be well.
Dear Friends,
that we continue, one step at a time,
to move into this new world of ours.
Dear Friends,
that this moment be the portal
to softening, to relaxing, to surrendering.
Dear Friends,
It has been a grey week.
It has been a rainy week.
It has been—a week.
So much goodness wrapped in many different wrappers.
Dear Friends,
Inspiration seems further away
In the darker mornings,
The earlier evenings,
The greying sky.
Dear Friends, the holidays hover.
Dear Friends—do you remember
where you were last holiday season?
Literally, where were you?
Figuratively, where were you?
I—don’t remember.
Dear Friends, we are not alone.
Dear friends, we have each other.
Dear Friends, we are community,
Dear friends, we are sangha
Of heart.
Dear Friends, inspiration in me
This week
Was buoyed.
Buoyed this week
By others.
I am relieved, touched
And
Privileged to share them
With you.
Here they are:
~~~
Rumi, the ecstatic poet, offers me inspiration. One of my favorite poems is part of the UU hymnal! This invitation into practice, into returning again and again, has always opened my heart.
Thanks, June, for offering it.
Just notice—did this song touch you? Where? Why?
How might it inspire you, up ahead?
~~~
Roshi Joan Halifax, my teacher from Upaya Zen Center, stands in the reality of our suffering while offering us the doorway to wise hope. As I think of Roshi, my heart softens. She is an inspiration to me.
Here she is in, “Yes, We Can Have Hope”:
Does this touch you? Where in your body? Why?
How might you bring any part of this into your life?
~~~
And the most beautiful cover I have heard, of Leonard Cohen’s fabulous Anthem, by Kate McGarry and the Keith Ganz Ensemble. I am not sure why it opened my heart so fully. Here it is—Please enjoy.
What did you notice, what did you feel, while listening?
Where in your body did you feel it?
Where does this song take you?
~~~
Let’s end with Pema Chödrön, with these words of simple, profound wisdom always cuts through my mind and land in my heart:
Dear Friends,
What inspires you?
Dear Friends
Let’s continue
to share our hearts.
Dear friends,
Be well and safe.
Dear friends.
We are equipped
And
We are able.
Dear Friends,
Let’s be
Each others’
Inspiration.
Dear Friends.
All blessings,
Dear friends—
From Aruni