Be Still: Break a Pattern, Awaken Your Heart

“Doing nothing is sometimes doing something,” wrote Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. “To meditate is not to run away from life but to take the time to look deeply into ourselves or into a situation. Meditation is an opportunity to take care of our body or mind. That is…

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Soak in Water, Life

“Today, take a bubble bath,” instructed Paula D’Arcy, the retreat facilitator. Seventeen of us sat circled in dynamic stillness. Morning light breezed through windows, dancing upon the hardwood floor. Vivid pink protea flowers and scattered plumeria blossoms brought elegant island artistry and focus. In a yurt, I gazed at my…

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Unleash, Let Go

The first half of our life is a journey spent acquiring, and holding on. We long for security, safety, assurances he or she will be faithful, our life will be steady, our purpose fulfilled. In my twenties, when I first intentionally engaged a focused spiritual practice, I learned terms such…

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Savor Lent, Savor Life, 2013 daily life retreat

For the next forty days I promise to do my best to post a daily meditation for the purpose of pause and ponder, meaning and significance, and becoming brave, more authentic, compassionate, and wildly human. Fat Tuesday, 2013 I believe Lent, which means spring, is a time to deepen our…

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Listen: Become Available

Become Available My smartphone chimed, indicating a new text message. I read four words, “How was your day?” Pausing, the simple sentence evoked a multitude of emotions, sensations, and thoughts. I stood still, surprised. Primary was the realization that it has been a very long time since I’d been the…

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Super Moon, Season Change, and Silent Vows

Visiting friends on Friday night, the nearly full moon hovered in a pink tinged sky, rising over iced, frozen chunks of the Kenai River, Alaska. In contrast, Saturday night was already shadowless dark as  I waited for the Super moon to shine. I gasped when the entire horizon of Kenai…

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