Awakening comes from looking within, with joy, confidence, and trust that insight will inevitably blossom and free the heart. Looking within is possible in any moment of mindfulness, but loving awareness needs to be protected and nurtured. Early nomadic ancestors would carry an ember carefully wrapped in moss to light a campfire as they traveled, blowing on it from time to time to keep the ember glowing. I, too, need to safeguard the light of awareness and keep the flame of presence alive as I move in this world by meditating every day and continuing to study and practice with you. “Oh daughters and sons of noble birth” is the greeting the Buddha used as he taught.  When you remember the nobility of spirit that is your birthright, you, too, are blowing on that ember – keeping the warmth of shared humanity alive.

In the course of exploring mindfulness meditation, everyone will experience the entire gamut of emotions. Meditation is not about things working smoothly. Illumined states can shine through in many ways, and compassion can even arise amidst grief or shock, rage or loneliness. No matter what comes up, the practice is to keep the ember of loving awareness from going out, to keep traveling in the direction of love and understanding. This movement towards realization of intimacy with all life is really the goal. The ultimate expression of dedication to this work is found in my/your growing confidence and trust in the process.

The Velveteen Rabbit is one of my favorite children’s books. Remember how the stuffed bunny comes alive? The Nursery Magic Fairy steps out of a flower that grows where the despairing bunny sheds a tear. She explains that because the bunny has become real to the boy who loves him, she can “turn him into Real” to everyone. And it happens. Getting real with yourself, you can listen deeply, undefensively to others, as a bow of acknowledgement: you, too, share this human incarnation with me. At a time when communications are becoming dangerously contracted, we can expand the conversation, knowing we are ultimately all headed in the same direction.

~Trudy Goodman

and for so many reasons, there is a blind spot I cannot erase….

inquiry for today~ maybe a little patience for all the stuck and tight places..

when I can’t come home

If you wish mercy,

show mercy to the weak.

~Rumi