Introductions

[Nicole Madison]

Hi Everyone,

As the weekly group video chats are an optional component of the course, this Google Group may be the primary place that all 20 of you get to discuss the ideas, insights, and experiences of bringing the precepts into your life and practice. It would be great if we all could introduce ourselves -- your name, what brought you to this course, any initial thoughts you have after watching the first video and/or meeting with your partner.

Also, Andrea (and myself) will be available in case you have any hiccups with anything - tech support, partner homework, etc. Please email and...@centreofgravity.org if you have any questions or concerns! And you can find me at nic...@centreofgravity.org.

Much gratitude,

Nicole

[Kathy Lawson]

Hi, everyone. I'm Kathy. I came to this course for two main reasons. One, I wanted to commit more fully to my own sitting practice by having accountability to a community (virtual sangha!). Secondly, my work involves promoting the integration of yoga and meditation into public health interventions, and I have more recently stepped up into a teacher role (a scary step, indeed). I see studying and embodying the precepts as essential to both my teaching and my policy/programming roles. It's walking my talk and modeling right action for my students, colleagues, and those in positions of power who I hope to influence.
Also, I just wanted to study with Michael :-)

One thing that the first video brought up and that my partner (Nicki) and I talked about some was this idea of being the precepts. I can get very cerebral, and I love being a student, really interrogating ideas. The step of letting all the thinking go and really sinking into my heart and my intuitive wisdom...that's harder for me. So I am really looking forward to working more with that.

I won't be able to participate in the chat tomorrow (American Thanksgiving), but I hope to meet the rest of you face to face (so to speak) in another chat.

All best,

Kathy

--
 
 

--
Kathy Lawson, MPH
lawson...@gmail.com
206.920.1583

"We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with its own secrets, with its own treasures, with its own sources of anguish, and with some measure of triumph."
-Elie Wiesel

[beyssa buil]

Namaste!!!!

 

My name is Beyssa Buil, and I am excited to share this experience with all of you. What brought me to this Course is for a connection with like minded individuals to share and honor this way of Life and making new expansion in my practice.. In this Collective experience called Life I have been learning and practicing alone. Was fired up when I read about Michael Stone's method to  modern day practice.

 

As much as I would love living in a forest and practice with a calm-controlled environment the reality is I have to live in a physical modern fast world. Im pursuing to be a Buddhist Chaplain to work with those that are at the end of life. Im in school for my Master's Degree in religion and I have an autistic child and work with the autistic population.

 

The precepts course helps me to be anchored and assist my child find his silver chord connection to everyone.

 

I too will be having American Thanksgiving tomorrow.

 

 

 SATYA,

 

Beyssa 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 11:07 AM, Nicole Madison <nic...@centreofgravity.org> wrote:

Hi Everyone,

As the weekly group video chats are an optional component of the course, this Google Group may be the primary place that all 20 of you get to discuss the ideas, insights, and experiences of bringing the precepts into your life and practice. It would be great if we all could introduce ourselves -- your name, what brought you to this course, any initial thoughts you have after watching the first video and/or meeting with your partner.

Also, Andrea (and myself) will be available in case you have any hiccups with anything - tech support, partner homework, etc. Please email and...@centreofgravity.org if you have any questions or concerns! And you can find me at nic...@centreofgravity.org.

Much gratitude,

Nicole

--
 
 

--
Kathy Lawson, MPH
lawson...@gmail.com
206.920.1583

"We must not see any person as an abstraction. Instead, we must see in every person a universe with its own secrets, with its own treasures, with its own sources of anguish, and with some measure of triumph."
-Elie Wiesel

--
 
 

[Ian Macdonald]

Hello all,

My name is Ian. I'm a local Toronto guy (born & bred) and I've been a regular at Centre of Gravity's Tuesday nights for a bit over a year now --it's become the immovable object in my weekly schedule (how's that for a not a very Buddhist idea?)!

I started thinking about taking this course last summer, wanting to "deepen my practice" but unable to attend any of the extended retreats offered (so far). Of course, that phrase "deepen my practice" can cover any number of things; for me, it mainly means getting in touch with my heart. I spend and have spent most of my life in my head thinking Very Deep Thoughts (ha!). A few years ago I learned something about how that can end, or at least what the limits are, a discovery that's led me to Buddhism, yoga, & eventually CoG, but not (yet?) fully into my own heart's reality. Relatedly, I struggle with the concept of right livelihoood. I work in IT, for a large financial institution and in no way, shape, or form can I convince myself (and I'm a sucker for a good argument) that my work reduces the suffering in the next cubicle, let alone the world. It does pay the bills, and for that if nothing else I should be more grateful. And I do wonder if my yearning for a more fulfilling job is really just another craving? Chickens & eggs: do I have to have answers to these questions before I can act?

The video was an interesting introduction. I realized that to some extent I have been trying to live my life in more accord with the precepts almost my whole adult life (with some very notable exceptions), but really however much I might pat my own back, what I've done is just basic grade-school politeness. It's much easier to practice the precepts at a distance, and that's nearly the same as not practicing them at all. I can more easily be kind, open, & present with the cashier than with my sister. It's not much effort, doesn't take much time. The more history though, the more difficulty. That's one way I've been thinking about the literal, compassionate, koan idea. When we practice conventional decency with strangers --that's not nothing, lots of people don't-- but it's practicing the precepts at the literal level. I point out the cashier has given me too much change, so I'm honest AND I didn't steal! 2 points! As we probably all feel, the meaning of concepts such as honesty gets more difficult with people closer to us. White lies: yes or no? Now we have to do work at the compassionate level, where it's hard and our openness varies from day to day (is it just me, or is it harder to be compassionate after a tough day at work?). As for the koan, that's a level well beyond anything I've lived. I won't speculate.

This has turned into a longer message than originally intended. Sorry about that (& see above re. Very Deep Thoughts).

Unfortunately I'm unlikely to be able to participate regularly in the chat sessions, as I don't have access to the needed hardware during the afternoons. Maybe some weeks I'll be able to work from home & participate.

Gratitude and best wishes to you all,

Ian.

[Douglas Reid]

Hi - I'm Doug and am looking forward to studying the precepts with everyone.  I'm also a Torontonian by birth, and grew up in the city.  I've left it only to attend school.  Presently I split my time between Toronto and Prince Edward County where I live (technically!)  I also keep Tuesday nights firmly dedicated to yoga and dharma at the Centre of Gravity.  

What drew me to it was a diagnosis, about 18 months ago, of ADHD.  Part of the coping strategy for ADHD is mindfulness.  In searching for information on same I came across Buddhism - a philosophy I knew about in very general terms. I began to dig deeper, and was drawn to what I found.  It made so much sense...practical advice for living life and for understanding oneself and others.  

Like Ian, I'm struggling with right livelihood...I teach at a business school and have wondered for about five years whether I'm doing the right thing.  I don't accept the naive view that "business is bad", because it is a slogan.  I do accept the view that some businesses are very bad, many are motivated by false beliefs, most are struggling to survive, and others are trying to do right.  But I do wonder whether contributing to the formation of yet another MBA is a proper thing to do.  I'm an educator first and a business school educator second...so what do I do?  

The video's big "aha" for me was the idea of levels.  Right now I am seeking simply to live at the literal level.  I would welcome any help or guidance from members of the group, as we study together, as to how I could escalate my practice to embrace and reflect the compassionate and koan levels.  

I feel that I have found the right path to live my life and help others; now I must learn to walk upon it. 

With appreciation, 

Doug

[Nima Namjouy]

Hi Everyone, 

My Name is Nima.  I am relatively new to the Centre of Gravity Sangha, I've been attending Tuesday evening classes in Toronto for a several months now.  I decided to take this precepts course so that I can  establish a practice and understand better how it touches my daily life.  It was very interesting for me to read Kathy, Beyssa, Ian, and Doug's introductions as I see that we all in some way share similar mindsets, concerns, and hopes.  

Several months ago, I realized that I was not fully present in my life and my community.  My mind and my heart was always looking to the next event or the next goal, never really knowing what it felt like to be present in the moment.  Conversations and interactions with friends, family, and strangers always seemed to only touch the surface without any deep emotion or empathy.  

As I watched this week's video, I was particularly moved when Michael was talking about how we can "be intimacy" or "be honesty" by letting go of perspectives that we stick to and hold on to.  I am looking forward to learning from this course and from all of you.

Best wishes, 

Nima

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[sitiaswindow]

Hello friends, my name is Sitia.

I will speak very honestly.  There are a few fundamental reasons why I have decided to participate in this course.  Mainly, is the support network that we are creating for one another, while we aim to apply the precepts according to our western, busy, modern, social lives.  

I have just recently found myself back in Canada, after living most of the last 4 years on an island in southern Thailand (although 1 year in there spent in Ottawa).  I have always found it difficult returning to the west, adjusting to the lifestyle here of cold weather, the bustling of a city, the conditioning of society in many ways that I don't resonate with.  

I could make it sound like an idyllic setting in Thailand.  Where, I lived in the jungle, woke up with the sunrise, meditation, went to asana practice, jumped in the ocean and spent the rest of my day lulling about, reading, hooping, drawing, conversation, workshops....anything and everything.  All the while living in a calm paradise with beautiful friends who I lived and loved for those years.  However, I could feel and see (especially in contrast to Michael's teachings) that in this community there  were general widespread beliefs about not needing to be engaged in the "outside world", that all the meditation/yoga/love energy we create here is making this a better planet anyway, as well plenty of "spiritual bipassing".  Most of my friends/the community worked.  There is a centre there where many alternative therapies, massage, etc was available to tourists, and thats how we survived.  

In many ways it was beautiful, and still is.  I still love and miss my friends and that little island.  However, now I am here, and I see clearly that there is a lot, A LOT of learning in that for me.  To be practicing Yoga, true yogi yoga.....in the west.  Phew.

I am sharing this with all of you because this is where I am at.  I am in the process of transitioning here to Canada again, and softly (and somewhat timidly) integrating.  I am having difficulty carrying on the same practice I had on that easy-breezy-natural-tropical island, here in a city.  I feel easily distracted here.  I feel that I need the energetic movement and the support of a group and community to make this integration strong and positive.  I know that I have a lot to learn from you all.  I find it both reassuring and motivating to know that we are creating this together and we are here for one another.  I am looking to be a part of a new awake, aware and real sangha.  

I am living here in Ottawa where Im grew up though haven't been much for 10 years. I teach/share yoga and meditation, I love it and that sharing supports my spirit in happiness. I also work most of my hours as administration at a Yoga & Massage Clinic.  I plan to move to Toronto before next spring and go back to art school though :)

Thank you for listening.

Much Peace

Sitia

On Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11:07:24 AM UTC-5, Nicole Madison wrote:

[mosleynicki]

Hi everyone ~ my name is Nicki.

So much thanks to the introductions so far.  It's really beautiful to get a sense of you and feel the commitment and openness to the inquiry and sharing within this journey.  The openness certainly is an amazing mirror to support further opening. 

I am a yoga instructor however, I have never been a part of a group such as this before and I can feel my appreciation for it already!  Right now I am living in Calgary, Alberta investing time and energy into a masters in social work.  My mantra has been to take it one day at a time because it certainly stirs a lot up within me - much of it being uncomfortable - and I've been a witness to everyday being a truly different day even though the same situations exist around me.  Prior to living in Calgary, I have lived in different places throughout Canada and overseas - a dynamic life involving lots of transience and transitions as a wilderness guide and educator.  Throughout this abundant journey of transitions, yoga has been a grounding force and one of the greatest teachers in my life, along with the Earth. 

I came to a social work degree because I believe yoga could be a tool for social change and my vision and hope is to live that in addition to inviting others to actively engage and participate in that journey.  In coming this masters, the gaping hole is zero conversation about spirituality!...So last year I did an independent study looking at the relationship between yoga and community development and Michael's book's were hugely inspiring....all this being said - I was led to this course and am really excited to settle deeper into being and trusting the moments with the support of community.  Listening and being present for heart is a constant learning and living into that practice is something that resonates deeply within.

This is a long introduction! It comes with extended gratitude to you all and I look forward to learning with you!

Much light.

Nicki

[Leslie Kirsh]

Hello all,

I wanted to also introduce myself.  My name is Leslie.  I was introduced to the Centre of Gravity by my wife Celeste, who is also taking this course.  I have been attending the Centre of Gravity on Tuesday nights semi regularly for past few months now.  Prior to this I had no formal meditation practice...so this is all new for me.

I consider myself a spiritual person.  I have a somewhat complicated religious history that would be too long to get into all the details now.  In short I grew up as a very active member of the reform Jewish community in Toronto.  When I went to Montreal to complete my undergrad at McGill I did a joint honours degree in religious studies and I decided to convert to the Baha'i faith. I then became an active member of that community for several years.  For the past four years or so I have withdrawn from the Baha'i community and while I am still an active member of my extended (and large!) Jewish family, I would only consider myself culturally Jewish.

I work as a youth and family therapist in Toronto.  I work with youth and families struggling with depression, anxiety, family conflict, trauma, etc.  I love my job and I am also always seeking to improve my practice as a therapist.  The most current trend in therapies, I think, is the integration of mindfulness based theory and practice.  So I wanted to go to the source, since we all know there is nothing "current" or "new" about any of this stuff.

I love to read, to think "deep thoughts" (as others have mentioned), to have deep conversations, to really listen to others, etc.  It is a lot harder for me to sit on my cushion and stop.  So this is where I am. And this is where I will start from.

Unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the group chats, as I work during those times.  I may be able to join once during December, when I am off work for vacation.

Thanks for reading and for sharing your stories.  I hope to be able to interact with you all as much as possible over the coming weeks.

Cheers,
~Leslie

--
 
 

--
"Even after all this time, the sun never says to the earth: you owe me.  Look what happens with a love like that, it lights the whole sky."
~Hafiz

[vanessa fairall]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Vanessa, currently i live in Doha Qatar, but originally i am from various places in Africa. I have been exploring the experience of meditation for many years as a daily practice, which begun as my entry point and introduction into yoga as a whole.

The reason i have chosen to participate in this course, is to put a real focus and commitment, into deepening my awareness and experience of my practice, i have been feeling that it is in a time of deep transformation, for which this course is the gift that is being offered as the vehicle to facilitate the change.

I met Michael originally through his books, and youtube, and later in person through a mutual teacher, i loved the simplicity and delivery of his teachings and the way that i resonated with them and him on a deep level.

I am not used to google groups and video chats, so forgive me until i feel my way around the system and can participate more fully, i am so not a techno person!

All love
Vanessa

[Laura Hutchens]

So… this whole introduction process kind of reminds me of playing jump rope as a kid. I was never the first one to jump in.  I usually stood off to the side worrying whether the other kids would like me or if I would get tripped up in the ropes and fall on my face but here goes…

 

Hi! My name is Laura Hutchens.  I live in Kettering, Ohio.  I teach interactive media at the high school two blocks from my house. And as of this Thursday, I’ll be teaching vinyasa basics at the studio where I practice. I am lucky to be able to say I love my work.

 

By way of introduction I though I would share part of what I wrote in my application for the course.

 

What is your practice?

 

I practice asana 4 to 5 times a week at the studio. On days when I can't get there I'll sometimes do legs up the wall at night followed by some quiet sitting. I am a schoolteacher so my job is super stressful (who's isn't) so I often take a few minutes to sit quietly before I begin class or during the day if I need to.

 

Why do you want to take this course?

 

Like many people I came to yoga for the physical practice (I've dropped a huge amount of weight in the last 4 years and yoga has been part of that process).  I also knew about the "spiritual" side of the practice. I had had several intense experiences as a young person with guided relaxation and again with a well know teacher in town a few years ago.  So I knew that whole mind/body thing (I think these words are cheesy but I don't know how else to explain it) created a strong reaction in me. There was something there I wanted to explore.

 

I found a lovely community of people at Practice Yoga a few years ago, began the physical practice and eventually signed up for the teacher training not so much because I wanted to teach but because I wanted to study at a deeper level.  It was a wonderful experience for me. It challenged me and pushed me, gave me a safe place to examine myself and ask questions. Through that process I formed some great friendships and found my interest/love of yoga deepen. This was also my introduction to the philosophy of yoga.

 

Fast forward to today.  I’m not sure I have words to describe what has been stirred up in me but the physical practice of yoga and study of the sutras and other texts has lead to an intense period of self-examination. What I’m looking for now is a structure, a community and a teacher that can support a deeper level of practice.  So why Centre of Gravity?

 

We read one of Michael’s books as part of our teacher training. I’ve read a lot of the work on-line and watched the video talks. I even visited Toronto to practice with you guys this summer (fun!).  But what has attracted me to Centre of Gravity and Michael’s teaching over and over again is ultimately what attracted me to yoga in the first place.

 

I am a schoolteacher and feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to my students. I have them for half a school day for two years. We are a huge part of each other’s lives.  I knew a couple of years ago if I didn’t start to take care of my body, I would not be able to take care of them. At the same time I had to face some intense situations in my personal life. And I didn’t want to bring all that to school with me everyday.  Yoga has become my way of making my body healthy and putting me into a state of mind where I can be effective in my work. Ultimately Michael’s message of yoga as a way to connect with your community is right in line with what I’m trying to do.  I want to contribute to my community in a positive way and be of service where I can.

 

What are the challenges you will face?

 

(insert long list of challenges here… fear generally being the foundation of all of them)

 

I’m also a pretty shy person. It takes me a little while to warm up to people. So working with a partner will be a challenge for me (and part of the reason I want to do this).

 

Fun fact: I have spent every summer of my life on a tiny island in the North Channel of Georgian Bay. It is my favorite place on the planet. (Thought I should add my Canadian connection so I would fit in ;-) plus Canada and I share the same birthday).

 

Thanks for reading.

 

Laura H.

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[beyssa buil]

After reading everyone's stories and journeys...

 

I wanted to say to everyone that I was honored at the thought of studying with all of you. Now I am even more happy if that's even a possibility (the Universe is ever expanding)

 

Laura I am so happy we were matched up as partners :)

 

 

---Beyssa

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[celeste.kirsh]

    Thank you to everyone for your honest, insightful, and open introductions. In some ways, having the time and space to craft an introduction gives all of us a chance really be mindful about our words, rather than trying to blurt something out around a circle, if we were all participating in this in real time.

    I first met Michael when I was doing my first yoga training with Moksha Yoga. When I’m telling this story to other people, I like to add in that that half of the class were deeply annoyed with what he was saying and couldn’t stand it and half of the class was deeply annoyed by what he was saying and couldn’t get enough of it. I’m happy to say I was in the latter of the two groups, although it took me a lot longer to actually cultivate a practice.

    For a long time, teaching and practicing yoga nearly everyday, I think I was telling myself that I didn’t need to sit on a cushion because I was practicing mindfulness while moving through asana. I think for a long time I was also telling myself that I was just always busy on Tuesday nights. And, to be honest (because that’s what we’re all doing on here), for a long time I was just afraid to sit down and check out what’s going on in my mind and sit with it.

    A few years passed and after practicing ashtanga for a year, I started to realize that there was a lot missing from my practice. I was practicing everyday and yet I was not really the person I wanted to be, or the person I knew I could be. Once I started to work in a more traditional job (I presently teach grade 6 at an all-girls private school in Toronto), I started to notice the need for more mindfulness in my life. And BAM...I started to come to Centre of Gravity. I knew it was always there.

    I think the precepts course is a way for me to investigate my practice a little more. I’m really into the idea of being a student of my life (especially as I play that interesting role of a teacher during the day) and right now, I see Michael and the Centre taking a central role is being that “guide on side” for the path I’m on.

    My wonderful and incredible wife is doing this course with me. I’m pretty lucky to have a partner interested in enough to do something like this for me...so I suppose that on one level, I’m also interested in how we can generate a common language about mindfulness and living the precepts in our combined lives, holding each other accountable to our own practices.

    And, I might also add that I just finished writing report cards, so I am thrilled to have the space to read everyone’s posts. A great way to celebrate giving birth to, what feels like, a paper baby.

    Celeste

On Wednesday, November 21, 2012 11:07:24 AM UTC-5, Nicole Madison wrote:

[Sofia Forman]

My name is Sofia, I'm from Toronto. I currently live in San Francisco. I appreciate the introductions. They make the course feel more alive. I'm struggling with the cyber-ness of this. 

I teach English as a Second Language (ESL) and work & teach at a couple yoga studios. I lived in the San Francisco Zen Center system for a year.  We had a rigid schedule. It was powerful to live and sit with community. Now sitting on my own. Many days I wake up and have a discussion in my head about sitting.  I'm going to go make coffee first. Then the day slips into the next thing and the zafu is untouched. Anybody else have this problem?

I'm still finding my footing in this city. How to move in it, through it, with it. The pulse is sometimes overwhelming. Marin, the county north of the Golden Gate Bridge is truly stunning. I find relief in cycling  straight for miles and miles. Up the hills, down the hills. This has been the breath with movement for me recently. Strong legs. Needing strong legs because everything else is kinda wobbly. Dont know how long I'll be in this city, or at this job. Trying to let things unfold.

I feel supported by the Zen Center sangha. But I'm often  reminded (sometimes abrasively) that it's ultimately up to me to practice. They cant practice for me, no matter how much I want them to. But I'm held by the space created by their practice. By each others practice - there is so much richness in sangha - even a  cyber sangha :) 

~ Sofia 

[Laura Norman]

Hello to all,

 

I have enjoyed reading everyone's introduction. I am honoured to be a part of this very interesting and inspiring group of people. I have never had a formal yoga practice; or practice of any kind..perhaps maybe only eating chocolate :) Throughout the years I would practice yoga here and there some months every day and some months nothing at all. I have always found such a beauty in it and has always been something I wanted to spend more time with and enjoy but maybe like others have found that something always comes along,  gets in the way or seems more important.

 

I live in Vancouver, BC and was born and raised here. I love this city and its beauty but often long to have an adventure and live somewhere else for a bit..maybe something in the future for me..

 

I am not sure if anyone is going to be at Michael's seminar this weekend here, if you are please email me I will be there and would love to put a face to a name :)

 

Recently, this summer, I will share an experience that had a very profound impact on me. I was driving home from working on a beautiful saturday afternoon was waiting to merge onto the freeway..it was my turn..and a lady driving a very large SUV cut me off. I am sure this experience has happened many times before (and sure to happen many times again) and I would have to say something in me snapped, the rage I felt at this was overwhelming (I will mention at the time I was going thru a lot personally) unexpected and really not fitting to the situation. My sole purpose was to follow this lady and make her drive home difficult, I wanted her to know that she had cut ME off and how dare she. I yelled, I honked, I swore, I was thrilled that she was driving the same way as me, giving me more opportunity to cause her grief. I probably at that moment would of followed her to the end of the earth!!! I finally turned off to make my way home and arrived exhausted and sadden by myself, this was not me, not who I wanted to be. I had a big realization that I did not have the tools to deal with my own life. This brought me to wanting to have a more fullfilling and regular yoga practice and to delve into the aspect of developing my strength of mind. Thus leading me to Michael's work and to this online course.

 

I feel very unconnected to the work I am doing; I work in a shipping and receiving department for a company that maintains and repairs airplane engines. I feel for me there is more for me in this life, more I can give to others. Another hope is that thru this journey I will find my passion and doing work that I feel embodies me.

 

Thank you everyone again for sharing,

 

Laura

--
 
 

[Benoit Cardinal]

Hello everyone!

I feel delighted to be part of this interesting and diverse online sangha. I could really sense how connected people were to their hearts when reading everyone's introduction. Some of you revealed some intimate moments and it really touched me.

Maybe that's why it took me a while to write my own introduction. Will I come across as being "in touch" with my heart, what should I say, too much, too little? Oh well, here I go!

I was born in Montreal and lived there most of my life as well as in the country side as my mom has a farm in the Laurentian region of Quebec. It's a beautiful area, very quiet and peaceful and I miss it a lot sometimes.
I've now been living in downtown Toronto for 8 years. It's also a city that I love dearly (and sometimes frustrates me) and I'm continuously discovering a new park or alley or street I have never been to and it keeps on amazing me.

I'm very happy to have discovered centre of gravity and the richness of its programs and members.

The precepts for me is something that scares me and also that I feel like it came into my life at the right moment. I've been reading many books on zen and attending the sangha but there comes a time where I felt like I needed to incorporate what I've learned into my daily life.

For example, today I was on call for my work (I'm a flight attendant with Air Canada). Being on call is very hard for me as it disrupts what I thought my day was going to be like (coffee with a friend, groceries in kensington, bday party of my friend's 1 year old boy). Then the phone rings: "Benoit, we need you to operate this flight this afternoon and you are coming back tomorrow night". Suddenly my vision of my beautiful day crashes down and I feel this void in my stomach. Oh no, all those wonderful people I was supposed to meet. I wanted to share their warmth and conversations.
But wait, why am I feeling like this...shouldn't I just be integrating all of what I've been learning? That everything changes, that all things are impermanent. Why hold on to a thought of what it "should be".
So this for me is a practice ground for the precepts. How to really be one with what is arriving in life right at this moment.
Being on call might be the best thing that happened to me today. To get this call actually right in the middle of the precept's 2nd video on mindfulness. Ha! How appropriate!

I'm looking forward to exchanging and working with all of the material that we will be given in the next few weeks. Thank you all for coming forward with your whole heart!

With warm gratitude,

Benoit

[sitiaswindow]

Thank you for sharing Benoit. 

Your insight helps us remember to be in touch with all parts of our days.