My OperaCaring for Ourselves, Changing the World
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 9:01:23 PM
We should ask the question whether we are capable of loving ourselves as well as others. Are we treating our body kindly—by the way we eat, by the way we drink, by the way we work? Are we treating ourselves with enough joy and tenderness and peace? Or are we feeding ourselves with toxins that we get from the market—the spiritual, intellectual, entertainment market?
So the question is whether we are practicing loving ourselves? Because loving ourselves means loving our community. When we are capable of loving ourselves, nourishing ourselves properly, not intoxicating ourselves, we are already protecting and nourishing society. Because in the moment when we are able to smile, to look at ourselves with compassion, our world begins to change. We may not have done anything but when we are relaxed, when we are peaceful, when we are able to smile and not to be violent in the way we look at the system, at that moment there is a change already in the world.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
So the question is whether we are practicing loving ourselves? Because loving ourselves means loving our community. When we are capable of loving ourselves, nourishing ourselves properly, not intoxicating ourselves, we are already protecting and nourishing society. Because in the moment when we are able to smile, to look at ourselves with compassion, our world begins to change. We may not have done anything but when we are relaxed, when we are peaceful, when we are able to smile and not to be violent in the way we look at the system, at that moment there is a change already in the world.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
It is so interesting watching a little group like our Firefly Sangha grow.
So many shared Monday evenings, walking slowly under darting bats and fading sunsets, stretching in the lush grass, sitting quietly with flickering candlelight or the delicate scent of ginger lilies. . .
So many gifts of the moment ~ watching these roses bloom, noticing that moon shining brilliantly above, listening to this person share her joy, that person share his sadness. . .
Noticing the turn of the seasons, the ebb and flow of people who come and stay, people who come and go, or the steady presence of people who are far away but continue to be with us in spirit. . .
Our little sangha is a place that nourishes our joy, our sense of being together in the presence of whatever is real. It is a place where we can bring our suffering, too, and hold it gently until it transforms.
As we look ahead to the upcoming Fall season, I am wondering what people long for most from our time together.
Is it time to sink into the silence? Is it tools for relaxation and centering that you can take into the weeks in between our sittings? Is it an exploration of formal teachings? Something else?
And what do people most appreciate about the times we share?
Those of you who come regularly, and those of you who "participate" from afar, please do take a moment to share what your spirit most appreciates, and is most longing for over these coming months.
This tradition is so very rich, and it will be fun to explore what to tap into in order to deepen our practice, our sense of community, and our own ability to enjoy each moment.
Looking forward to seeing many of you next Monday.
Until then, be well.
