“So Why Not Just Show Up?”*
Title Quote by Roshi Joan Halifax
Oh, dear friends, hello.
It feels to me like weeks have passed since last week’s blog. Do you relate to that time-distortion-syndrome?
I was blessed and privileged to be immersed in Kripalu experiences this past week, first in the Inner Quest over the long weekend and then a delightful, deep and rich R&R class midweek.
And this blog! It is always for me a dive into a Kripalu experience. I learn so much from writing every week.
I am grateful to you who read it, who give me the opportunity to speak my truth, as well as those of you who come to my programs.
This past week, I learned so much in these two programs.
I recognize the power of people coming together, with intentionality and with willingness, to look inside.
I recognize the power of people coming together, with intentionality and with willingness, to look at others.
To listen to themselves.
To listen to others.
To receive themselves.
All parts.
To receive others.
All parts.
I recognize the power of people coming together and building the world we want to live in, if only for those 90 minutes, if only for those three days. If only for a brief blog-read.
I recognize the blessing and the privilege it is for me to be present, to support, to help create, to help mold those experiences.
In a lifetime full of blessings, I am forever blessed by being a member of the Kripalu Faculty.
And I am forever blessed to be able to offer core legacy teachings to you.
In the giving, there is profoundly deep receiving.
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If you don’t know me, please know that I suffered with profound stuttering from early childhood through young and mid-adulthood.
I name this today, to bring that child, that terrified kid, that awkward teenager, that furious adult, into this conversation.
My terror of people stemmed from this root cause; I didn’t want to talk to you. I didn’t want to have to try to say words to you. Then you would then see me. Then you would KNOW. I’m not sure what you would know—but you would.
What a trip, what a blessing, what a mitzvah* it is to have outlived those recurring traumas and to know, oh, so deeply:
I am so privileged to talk with you.
To write these blogs. To teach these programs.
I am blessed to do this work with you.
And—you all give me hope.
You all give me hope.
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Roshi Joan Halifax from Upaya Zen Center talks about “wise hope”, hope that keeps us plugged into the moment, hope that gives us the energy to do the next best thing, hope that launches us into right action.
Kripalu program participants… dear folks who read this blog,
You give me wise hope.
Thank you,
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for trusting me.
~~~
Here’s a perfect article about wise hope from Roshi Joan, from the Lion’s Roar magazine. Please enjoy.
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What would it look like in your life today to practice wise hope? Just for a few moments? Be specific.
Playing for Change is the most amazing non-profit organization, committed to making music around the world, to having musicians from many countries come together to create music.
Here’s a rousing and strong selection, Riders on the Storm:
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Dear Friends,
Roshi Joan encourages us:
So Why Not Just Show Up?
Let’s practice just getting there,
Just getting to the moment.
Let’s practice,
Finding our way.
Relaxing into the moment as it is.
In gratitude,
In possibility,
In wise hope,
May all beings benefit from our time together.
Blessings, all—
Aruni
*mitzvah, a Yiddish word that means a good deed, a blessing, a purposeful good action