So regarding our relationship to our home as an extension of our practice of being present and fully alive make sense.
In fact how are mind regards our body is a similar relationship. When we look around our space and see the way it reflects our personal culture and values, or doesn’t;
that’s an indicator of possibility.
when we are willing to clean a room we never relate to, or organize our space or put up artwork or change the the way a room is laid out, there is an expression of care and an understanding of how the psychology of spaces impact us. If our space doesn’t reflect our intention to be fully present and fully alive then it will hamper us,
It’s kind of that simple, so this is a short talk on just thinking about and contemplating that relationship for ourselves, you could say intentionallysing our relationship to our home and surroundings.

So the word samsara mean cyclic existence, or the endless continuation of habitual patterns. Making friends with what causes all of our suffering may seem counterintuitive, or even like a pretty bad idea. On the other hand if we don’t make friends with that which irritates us then we are not “being friendly”.
Being friendly is a bit different then having an agenda to like what we like and dislike what we dislike – rather we are trying to see the opportunities for friendliness in the way we understand and look into situations and things. This being friendly brings us a lot more freedom; the short video here explorers that.

On my way to this talk in the parking lot, my friend who had invited me, said “this is one of the most conservative theological seminaries in the country”
There was a moment where I thought …..that’s good to know!

My experience of the assembly was that of a very devoted and generous and kind group of people, who were willing to listen to my viewpoints and contrast them with their own.

I left feeling more certain that interfaith dialogue is of great benefit, and that conversations with diverse perspectives are necessary for all of us, so that we can step into a larger shared world.

When I think of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s vision to help the world have access, through Shambhala Training, to practices regardless of the religious background that allow them to experience the world more directly, beyond the concepts that isolate us, I feel a deep sense of loyalty and devotion to his work and vision.
His son and spiritual lineage heir,
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, is my teacher, and he continues this profound vision in the world in a way that makes me incredibly proud to be his student.

Now more than ever, the world needs spiritual wisdom, open hearts and open minds that are capable of compassion and seeing through reactivity for the greater good of everyone.

Our motivation turns out to be the most important aspect in determining the quality of our journey.
We may start with a certain point of view, but on our journey that changes. In fact the journey itself changes us, and our ‘why’.
It turns out every time we sit down to practice we can be in touch with why we are here, so that we don’t auto pilot our way through our meditation.

Sense of humor and perspective
How can we help others? How can we help ourselves?
What gets in the way of compassion?
What does humor have to do with space?

Come join Jade and I for a day or for the any part or the whole week of retreat in Providence 12/26-1/117! (more…)

http://providence.shambhala.org/programs/program-details/?id=273260

“We don’t live cloistered lives in monasteries. We live in homes with others, work and have jobs. How can we live our lives fully, sanely and compassionately? What happens when we get up from the cushion, or walk out of the meditation hall? Life is all about meditation in action. As human beings we are capable of understanding, cultivating and propagating a home, community and society that express shared basic goodness.”
This is the perfect time of year to settle our minds and reflect on our aspirations. Join Jade and I for this weeklong retreat between Christmas and New Years. You can come for the whole thing, or just a day or two. Housing is available for you out-of-towners.

How can you stay regenerative ?
If we want to help others, we will need to stay energized. If we burn out we are of no use to those in need. If we explain away pain through rationalizing, we are of no help. How can we remain relevant?

What does “holding space” mean? It’s about bringing our compassion to others. We don’t have to wait for the perfect moment, because the perfect moment is now always. The video explores how to do this and why it helps…
(how to be compassionate on the spot)

“Kindness is my religion” H.H. The Dalai Lama
We are saved when we dissolve. We can’t hold on to our paranoia thinking it isn’t self clinging. We get overwhelmed and scared in these difficult times, and the endless power source is being devoted to others benefit. There are endless opportunities to help this world; the world needs our maturity and spark.A 4:45 minute video exploring the ancient wisdom of Shantideva in this modern moment.

Sometimes we don’t want to feel our sadness, either it’s inconvenient or overwhelming or uncomfortable. But when we put off our sadness it doesn’t exactly disappear, it manifests in all sorts of uncomfortable ways anyway. There is often some kind of evasion.

When we appreciate sadness as somehow part of the essence of appreciation itself, can be a very empowering flip, or switch of view.
It’s this bittersweet sadness that has a quality of joy and tinge of pain, but not necessarily suffering, which is so worth exploring and perhaps seeing the heart of humanity.