A compelling slogan to live by
- Insights Into Practices
- What I’m Reading
- What I’m Listening To
- Half-day Retreat: In Mill Valley
- ·Weekend Retreat: Green Gulch Farm
This is one of my favorite, and most surprising slogans from a group of 59 statements called “Lojong” teachings. Four simple statements: Do good, avoid harm, appreciate your lunacy, and pray for help. What else could be needed to guide one’s actions?
Do Good; Avoid Harm – These two statements are like the ten commandments or the Buddhist precepts condensed into four words. They suggest living with the intention and aspiration to be a force for good. Much like the phrase “living by vow” these statements are a reminder to reflect on what is most important and an inspiration to live with less fear, less self-protection, and more generosity, and be more supporting of others.
Appreciate Your Lunacy – What a few weeks this has been. Last week was the 79th anniversary of the Trinity, the code name for the first atomic bomb. This week has seen intense heat waves, an assassination attempt, the Republican Convention, Joe Biden stepping down, and Kamala Harris stepping up. Amazing, impossible, difficult to describe or comprehend.
On a more personal level, I’m often stating publicly that being a human being is a really tough gig. Appreciating our lunacy along with our intelligence and tender hearts feels both real and humbling. Studies indicate that humor (especially being able to laugh at ourselves) is positively correlated with well-being, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, and promoting life satisfaction and optimism.
Lunacy refers to a temporary form of insanity, related to the cycles of the moon. In this case, our lunacy may or may not be temporary. Perhaps there is hope, and thus the next statement:
Pray for help – We all need help. Sometimes it is good to ask. Other times it might be better to “pray” in whatever form that might look like to you. The point is to reflect on what help is needed.
Practice: Write this slogan and see what emerges. Try on how you might practice with a piece or the entire slogan and explore how it can support, challenge, and benefit you.
What I’m Reading
Trainings In Compassion, by Norman Fischer – To go deeper into the practice of these slogans, this is the place. Norman’s book is a treasure, one that I find myself returning to regularly.
(Coyote pup spotted in Muir Woods last week.)
What I’m Listening To
Acquired Podcast – Monthly episodes that go deep in telling the stories of companies. It has been around for many season and I’ve just recently discovered it and have been enjoying it lots.
Half Day Sitting, In-Person and Online – Sunday October 13th
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in Mill Valley.
I really like half day retreats, where there is time for some extended meditation periods, some walking, and time to process with a small community. Then, time to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.
Weekend Retreat In-person, Green Gulch Farm
November 1 – 3
Come spend the weekend at Green Gulch Farm, located on the coast, just north of San Francisco. Wake up hearing the sound of the ocean, enjoy the simple but amazing vegetarian food, and explore the garden, farm, and coastal trails.
In our world of busyness, of more, faster, better, this retreat offers time to stop, reflect, and renew – a time to step fully into the richness of your life. Together we’ll follow a gentle schedule of sitting and walking meditation, interspersed with talks and discussions from the wisdom of Zen teaching as we explore how these stories and dialogues may be utilized in our relationships, our work, and our lives
This retreat is open to all people interested in stopping, exploring, and bringing more awareness and mindfulness to daily life.