“Here’s the thing, say Shug. The thing I believe, God is inside you and inside everybody else. You come into the world with God. But only them that search for it inside find it. And sometimes it just manifest itself even if you not looking, or don’t know what you’re looking for. Trouble do it for [...]
now is a good time to wake up
I look into the eyes of a woman who says that this was her first go at meditating. We stand facing in each other and she beams a big smile. Is that what I’m supposed to feel? she asks after we’ve finished our first 30-minute meditation together. It felt as if out of this world. I [...]
just sit
I’ve been offering meditation space at my home for more than six years and where I work for the last three. Typically, a note goes up to invite people to come and sit: no charge, no religion, beginners especially welcome. Initially, there’s usually a good response and many come. Then, bit by bit, numbers fall and just [...]
do you ever pray?
The other day I sat with the son of one of our patients. We talked about this and that, gently closing in on the impending death of his dad. And about life afterwards–so incomprehensible for him. Out of nowhere, a question sprang from my mouth: Do you ever pray? We were both surprised. I certainly [...]
caring for my mom (part 2)
This is a follow-up to Dawne’s post from Mayne Island, BC (see January 7).
I have been my 87-year old mother’s caregiver since last January. For most of that time, she was mobile enough to dress herself, take care of her toileting needs, and manage her own medications. Then, she had a fall and her situation changed drastically.
Now [...]
wake up!
I woke up with a dream this morning. That is, when I came to, dream images sat in the forefront of my awareness and wouldn’t go away. Interesting how they can be so bothersome. We try to understand (analyze) them or let them drift away so we can get on with our day.
What if I [...]
our sunday poem (peter levitt)
Peter Levitt has published poetry, fiction, and translation; he’s also the founding teacher of the Salt Spring Island Zen Circle. On January 31 he’ll be addressing the 17th Annual Spiritual Care Conference hosted by the Victoria (BC) Hospice Society. The lines below are from his poem “Within Within” in a recent collection by the same title.
Don’t try and don’t quit,
that’s [...]
helper’s high
Being of service is good for your health. I’ve noticed a shift in my emotional well-being over my months of working at hospice. On Tuesday I wrote about changes in my sense of self-worth and general outlook on life. Many factors have contributed to this development, high among them this almost daily contact with people near death, their [...]
helping ~ serving
Rachel Naomi Remen MD pointed to the subtle distinction between helping and serving when she worked with us during the end-of-life care practitioners program at the Metta Institute. Following yesterday’s report on my experience with this tricky duo, I dug up Dr. Remen’s text (excerpt):
Serving is different from helping. Helping is based on inequality; it is not a relationship between [...]
trying to “help”
I’ve spent quite a bit of time at the bedside of one particular patient over the last few days. His friend told me that the man has lived a solitary life, that he brushes away offers of help, that he’s ”difficult to get to know.” Yet, from our first encounter, I sensed a kinship. Since then, he’s asked that I [...]
full catastrophe
I hesitate to say this aloud but … I’m happy. Not just this moment: several times a day, for weeks on end. What’s the big deal, you say? For many this appears a normal and frequent occurrence; they go through life with a sunny disposition, take problems in stride, and look ahead with optimism. That hasn’t been [...]
our monday poem (mary oliver)
One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice–
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It [...]
my day of silent meditation
By the time you read this, sixteeen of us will be on a day-long silent retreat on Mayne Island. Terrill Welch* is one of the participants; she sent this post after our last gathering. For today’s talk we’ll be listening to a recording by Zen teacher Ejo McMullen.
In the early dawn, I slip off my sandals before entering the zendo and padding barefoot [...]
a simple wish
It’s the little things that shape the way we see the world and our place in it.
sewing robes
What’s important in your life? Or, what do you want to do or accomplish before you die? Googling the questions brings up some bizarre suggestions, including things to try before you die (a book), websites on food to eat, hotels to stay, sexiest things to do (a Playboy reality show), artworks to see, birds to [...]
