“Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.”
–David Whyte
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Insights Into Practices — Catching Sparks
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A Favorite Quote, Thich Nhat Hanh on Right View
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What I’m Reading
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Podcast
I love the opening scene to the recent film, A Complete Unknown, a biopic about the early days of Bob Dylan’s emergence as a music icon. He seeks out and finds Woody Guthrie, one of his heroes, hospitalized in New Jersey, unable to speak. When Dylan enters the hospital room he is greeted by Pete Seeger, playing music for Guthrie. Seeger asks Dylan, “What are you doing here?” Dylan responds, approaching Guthrie, “I was struck to the ground” hearing Guthrie’s music and “I’m here to catch a spark.”
This week I led a short mindful leader training with a group of Hospice staff and volunteers. I could feel the “sparks” in the room; something about sitting in a circle of people who are deeply engaged with death and dying. I began the training by acknowledging how unbelievably lucky I feel, that I’ve had the opportunity to “catch sparks” from many colleagues, friends, mentors, and teachers and students in the Zen world, the business world, and many other worlds. I stated that my intention for our time together was that perhaps they would catch some sparks from me, and that I was there to learn from them and to catch some of their sparks. I don’t exactly know what happened in our short time together but I felt “struck to the ground” by the energy and meeting that occurred, and caught a bundle of sparks from teaching and learning from with this group of caretakers.
Catching a spark is a valuable and healthy way to approach our work, relationships, and all parts of our lives. It feels like a vital approach or practice — wherever you go, being open to what sparks you might catch – not only from the people, but from the clouds, mountains, rivers, and ladybugs too. And, at the same time, bringing some awareness to what sparks you might be offering.
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(Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center; A place I go to catch sparks.)
One of the reasons I’ve relaunched my podcast, (formerly Zen Bones) now Mindful Leadership with Marc Lesser is to catch some sparks from my guests. I’ve just opened the first episode with poet David Whyte. During the first week of June you can listen to my conversation with Oliver Burkeman, bestselling author of 4,000 Hours; Time Management For Mortals.
Practice: Catch Some Sparks
This practice reminds me of a line of David Whyte’s poetry: “Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.” It’s the sparks that we catch and give that brings us alive.
Bring consciousness, awareness to the people that you choose to spend time with. Seek out people where you might catch a spark.
And, make yourself into someone who has sparks to offer.
A book about the practice of “catching sparks” is Inner Gold: Understanding Psychological Projection, by Robert Johnson.
A Favorite Quote: Right View, by Thich Nhat Hanh
“When one person comes up to us, the very sight of him makes us uncomfortable. But when someone else walks by, we like her right away. Something in each of those touches a seed in us. If we love our mother deeply, but feel tense every time we think of our father, it is natural that when we see a young person who looks like our mother we will appreciate her, and when we see a person who evokes the memory of our father, we will feel uncomfortable. In this way we can “see” the seeds that are in us…When we become aware of the seeds in our storehouse, we will not be surprised by our own behavior or the behavior of others.
At the base of our view are our perceptions… Buddha advised “Where there is perception — there is deception.”… We have to ask ourselves again and again. Am I sure?
The source of our perception, our way of seeing, lies in our storehouse consciousness.
No view can ever be the truth. The quality of our views can always be improved. From the viewpoint of ultimate reality, Right View is the absence of all views.
”What I’m Reading
Radical Candor, by Kim Scott – An excellent book that emphasizes honest, compassionate communication, encouraging feedback, building trust, and empowering teams. The book offers practical tools to foster strong relationships and better results at work.
The Heart Of Buddha’s Teaching, by Thich Nhat Hanh – That basics of mindfulness practice with lots of depth and heart.
Have a listen to my recent conversation with David Whyte and many others.
Warmest regards,
Marc