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On Sep 28, 2020 Brinda wrote on If You Really Pay Attention, by Paula Underwood:
On Sep 27, 2017 Brinda wrote on Advice From A Tree, by Ilan Shamir:
"It gives in simply being itself"---so true! Love everything you wrote....totally resonates with how I feel about trees.
On Sep 27, 2017 Brinda wrote on Advice From A Tree, by Ilan Shamir:
A tree is not in a hurry to grow from a sapling to a towering giant....it grows and changes at its own pace, as nature intends it to, and it accepts the changing seasons of its journey. A tree is a truly wise teacher, showing us what we need to learn by its example.
On Jul 13, 2017 brinda wrote on The False Duality Between "Job" And "Service", by Zilong Wang:
As so many folks commented last night, a lot of it is in the intent and attitude, and compassion/kindness that we bring to our work, in whatever form. "Serve from where you are" and "Find the nooks and crannies in the world to plant seeds"--that visual will stay with me and is very powerful. I am close to someone who has spent a lifetime as a "karma yogi" and has impacted so many people with kindness, selflessness, integrity and generosity....whether mentoring, finding just the right job for someone, creating opportunities for others to grow and flourish, leading with values and never ever thinking about the "fruits" of the labors. So this example reminds me all the time that if you "go deep", always stay true to your values, and don't worry about the "fruits", service is the natural flow.....
On Jul 13, 2017 Brinda wrote on The False Duality Between "Job" And "Service", by Zilong Wang:
As so many folks commented last night, a lot of it is in the intent and attitude, and compassion/kindness that we bring to our work, in whatever form. "Serve from where you are" and "Find the nooks and crannies in the world to plant seeds"--that visual will stay with me and is very powerful. I am close to someone who has spent a lifetime as a "karma yogi" and has impacted so many people with kindness, selflessness, integrity and generosity....whether mentoring, finding just the right job for someone, creating opportunities for others to grow and flourish, leading with values and never ever thinking about the "fruits" of the labors. So this example reminds me all the time that if you "go deep", always stay true to your values, and don't worry about the "fruits", service is the natural flow.....
On Jun 15, 2017 Brinda wrote on Be Alight with Who We Are, by Mark Nepo:
- Henry David Thoreau
I have always resonated with this quote which I think reflects the spirit of the Awakin passage. In being true to your true being, you don't need to compare or compete with others, and you can just be present with the joy of being.
It also reminded me of something that Ani Choying Drolma said in last week's circle, that "I focus on what I need to be doing right now". This sense of being fully engaged and present is described in the passage as the joy the boy feels in walking home...and it is this joy which is lost when he focuses instead on outrunning the other fellow.
Finally, a poem shared by a friend: (which I think speaks volumes on how to access our inner light)
Clearing
by Martha Postlewaite
Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world
so worth of rescue.
On Aug 6, 2015 Brinda wrote on The Pleasure of Serving, by Gabriela Mistral:
Compassion + presence makes our actions into service and endless opportunities to serve present themselves to us when our mindset is one that sees all our fellow beings/creatures/nature as our own family.
Thanks David for the reminder of the Tagore quote--have always loved it!! :-)
On Aug 14, 2014 brinda wrote on All We Can Do Is Share Ourselves, by Panache Desai:
Reminds me that HOW we are in the world matters. And that it shows up in every ounce of our "doing". If your "being" is full of generosity, open-heartedness, then it will manifest in whatever you "do", large or small acts are filled with that essence of you.
On Jul 24, 2014 cabbage wrote on What Is Your Storyteller Doing?, by Mary O'Malley:
I love the last bit about the "flavor of childhood" influencing the voice of the inner storyteller---this is something I have tried to become more aware of as I observe my reactions and the reactions of others---who might be their storyteller?
Understanding that other storytellers are coming from a different place can help us tame our own judgemental storyteller! I also appreciate the bit about embracing all sides of ourselves and that there is nothing inside us to be ashamed of. Hugs to all. :-)
On Feb 18, 2014 Cabbage wrote on Your Life Cannot Go Wrong, by Jeff Foster:
This is an amazing reminder to "let go" of thinking that things in life "happen to us"---I love the idea that everything happens "for us" and that we can never lose our path because it is all part of one big journey in which we are all connected. Simply beautiful---blew me away, and at the perfect time too. :-) Once again, reinforcing my belief that "you get what you need" (like in the Rolling stones song) just when you need it.
On Aug 15, 2013 Brinda wrote on What Do I Really Need Right Now?, by Sharon Salzberg:
Happiness is like a butterfly.
The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.
But if you turn your attention to other things,
It comes and sits softly on your shoulder.
– Henry David Thoreau
On Mar 6, 2012 brinda wrote on Making Friends with the Present Moment, by Alan Zulch:
On Dec 5, 2011 brinda wrote on Letter to My Grandson, by Daniel Gottlieb:
I really liked the analogy of waiting for a bus....this is so true! How we choose to wait makes a big difference.
On Sep 29, 2011 Brinda wrote on Love without Conditions, by Paul Ferrini:
Here are some thoughts I didn't get to share last night...
Another thing about unconditional love---many of us feel this from our parents or for our children, etc. I was especially thinking of the mother-child bond which can be an example of this.... and in the spirit of letting an individual "be"--as parents we can watch our children "unfold" into who they are meant to be...instead of trying to fit them into a "mold" (I heard that expression somewhere--"unfold, don't mold"--can't remember who said it, but it stuck in my head)
Also liked the part about being "unrehearsed" and spontaneous...to me this means living in the world with your heart WIDE OPEN....so that you have the spirit to BE in the moment and let the DOING follow from there.... it does mean letting go of fear, and embracing the fact that none of us can know what tomorrow (or the next moment) will bring--even if we "plan"....
and I loved the Les Kaye statement about "what's wrong with what we are doing right now?" Right now is the point! :-)
Hugs to you all.
Thanks--loved this quote!
On Jul 7, 2011 brinda wrote on Before You Know What Kindness Really Is, by Naomi Shihab Nye:
WOW. What a powerful poem. Grateful to learn of this wonderful poet.
On Apr 12, 2010 brinda wrote on Neighbors Are Our Practice, by Tenzin Palmo:
These thoughts really resonated with me--how easy it is to be kind to those who show us love....how much more balance we need within in order to practice kindness towards those who push our buttons! I loved the story of the meditating mom! It may be easy to practice loving kindness and compassion to a neighbor or colleague, but our patience is tested more with those closest to us. Thank you so much for sharing this piece...very important reminder that our retreats within have an outward practice every day.
On Dec 29, 2009 Brinda wrote on Receiving Each Day as an Invitation, by John O'Donohue:
I am so grateful to all who share this space-- and today I would like to thank Somik in particular for sharing his insights and story. The passage drew to my mind another quote "Only that day dawns to which we are awake...the sun is but a morning star" by Thoreau. Dawn has always been rendered as a time of "awakening"---and the passage shows the beauty of awakening to each day as a unique gift. I also like thinking of the sun as a "morning star"--since we usually think of stars in the darkness.... I wish for everyone the gift of a healthy and peaceful New Year. It is in how we spend our moments that we spend our lives......
On Jul 22, 2009 Brinda wrote on Radiating Photons of Goodwill, by Marc Ian Barasch:
Wow.....what a profound comment and I just love all of your reflections (esp. Pancho's poem--thanks!). It seems to me that when we can look beyond the surface of characters to see the universality in all beings we come closer to seeing everyone's "light". It is not always easy. We always know in our hearts when we are in the presence of a "compassion monger", but striving to be one is an amazing journey.
On Jun 8, 2009 Brinda wrote on Beyond Being Present, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
Wow...what an insightful piece. Being total aware of and in tune with our present moments is essential and easier said than done most of the time. I especially like the part of being aware of our intention when we are doing something.....that happened to me today in "connecting" with a homeless person. I also really like the part about the skillful and unskillful uses of remembering the past and future. Too often we bask in those thoughts rather than focusing on the present.
On Jun 21, 2022 govbria wrote on Pay Attention To A Sense Of Space, by Rob Burbea: