Inner Constellation Continuation

Yesterday was a tender day of celebration as Thich Nhat Hanh celebrated his 94th birthday. Friends and practitioners of mindfulness gathered on ZOOM and shared stories of how Thay ("teacher" in Vietnamese) has touched our lives. As so many transformations were shared, I thought back to the first time I came in contact with the concrete practice of mindfulness....

The year was 2014 when I visited Deer Park Monastery, a practice center in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and spent a week on a private retreat in Clarity Hamlet, living with the nuns. I felt, for the first time in my life, a sense of home--as if a peaceful and happy life was possible. I remember returning from my stay and describing the nuns to my husband with the only language I knew at the time, "They were holy." I aspired within me to walk with such peace, smile with such peace, live with their degree of presence. I remember wrestling with the idea that to live like at the monastery was not "real life." My sweet husband challenged this idea, and I will never forget what he asked, "Why do you assume the monastery is not real life?" At the time, I had no idea how to live so calm, peaceful and happy in the midst of absolute, chaotic busyness. A three year journey began that led to ordination at Deer Park in 2017 and a continued aspiration to grow my heart's capacity for compassion, peace and understanding. 

In March 2020, COVID hit, the brakes were applied, and the way I live has changed drastically, as it has for everyone. But here's the thing--life slowed down: my interpreting business, teaching, commitments, everything. It's been a blessing to feel, very visirally, the tremendous refuge of a personal practice in the midst of a post COVID world. 

A few weeks ago, I was asked to return to The Studio Lake Tahoe to offer private Inner Constellation sessions. I accepted, knowing it was a step in deepening my commitment to peace and well-being while offering The Studio as a sanctuary for those benefiting from support during these times. Now, Thich Nhat Hanh permeates my offerings, contemplation infuses my approach to any suffering and offers a way to remember joy and happiness even in the midst of challenges. I've used the last 7 months of slow-time and became HeartMath certified, something I wanted to do for years. 

If you feel you would like to partner with me in discovering ways contemplation--going within the sacred, and yes, "holy" refuge of your own body and mind--to grow peace and happiness to your life, please consider contacting me. At a time when so many folks are struggling, it's important to me and Crissy (owner of The Studio) to offer sliding scale gift economy payment options so that care is affordable and The Studio can stay afloat during restrictions in operation. When I think of the Inner Constellation motto in which I set up shop 10 years ago, I smile, knowing I have indeed come home: 

What if everything you need is inherent in you right now—profuse, abundant
 and perfectly sufficient.