On April 21, I was fortunate to hear Christopher Germer speak on “Looking at Shame Through the Eyes of Self-Compassion” as part of The Awake Network’s Compassion in Therapy Summit. This seems to have been one of those pivotal moments for me. A few days later, I committed to reading about and practicing Mindful Self-Compassion […]
When About to Converse Online
When about to converse online
I vow with all beings
to come from full presence and care,
attending to what truly matters.
Taking a Computer Break
Taking a computer break
I vow with all beings
to stretch this invaluable body
releasing the knots of desire.
Zen Vows For the Everyday
Inspired by Robert Aitken Roshi and Thich Nhat Hanh, I’ve begun composing simple verses which help align me with the Zen way for those countless everyday jobs — washing the dishes (of course), but also answering the phone, driving in heavy traffic, “reading scholarly comments,” etc., etc., etc. As a sample, Gatha #16 in Thich […]
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled […]
Marshall Rosenberg on Presence
“The most important part of empathy is the hardest. It involves our presence, our full presence to what is alive in this person at this moment.”
When Ending a Creative Spell
When ending a creative spell
I vow with all beings
to relax and open my mind,
stretching into the stillness of now.
Mired in Website Planning
Mired in website planning
I vow with all beings
to get back on the Buddha track
one breath, one sip, one dish at a time.
Airborne
Concerned about COVID,
I vow with all beings
to breathe in equanimity
and breathe out generous care.
Taking Note of My Frazzled Mind
Taking note of my frazzled mind,
I vow with all beings
to breathe deeply and ground
in an attitude spacious and clear.
Bedeviled by a Coding Bug
Bedeviled by a coding bug
I vow with all beings
to expose and see clearly
an underbelly of desires.