True Love

This week's LTMC mindfulness topic naturally presented as True Love given our Valentine's week. As we sat in the lotus room soaking up a robin-egg blue morning, we noticed the transition to increased light and the square of sky breaking through the snow-encrusted skylight! After sitting together, the 3rd mindfulness training was read to anchor our discussion:

True Love

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Knowing that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without true love and a deep, long-term commitment made known to my family and friends. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Seeing that body and mind are one, I am committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness – which are the four basic elements of true love – for my greater happiness and the greater happiness of others. Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.

As a community, we discussed the refreshing awareness that seems to be penetrating the young adult population regarding the desire for a long-term commitment before the intimacy of sex. A favorite line of the above training is..."Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future." Imagine actively committing to cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness and the ripple effect such actions have on all generations to come. What are ways in which you cultivate elements of true love? Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community hopes your Valentine's week was filled with opportunities to practice.

Hold Up The Flower

This week's post begins an aspiration to write a regular mindfulness topic highlighting Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community's time together Wednesday mornings. Hopefully these regular articles will extend the joy and inspiration we feel when we're in community and further nourish our practice.

This week, February 8, LTMC had a wonderful morning sit with a deluge of rain as our companion as it struck the skylights of the Lotus Room. The rains inspired the remembering of a favorite story about the Buddha. Over a thousand people had gathered to hear the Buddha speak but without saying a word, he simply held up a flower. Many minutes went by as the gathered crowd attempted to figure out his gesture and waited for him to speak. Buddha continued to silently hold up the flower, then suddenly, he smiled because a monk in the crowd, Mahakashyapa, had smiled to him and the flower. Buddha announced, "I have a treasure of insight, and I have transmitted it to Mahakashyapa." The monk and the Buddha experienced true happiness, enjoying the flower and each other. That remains a popular story in Zen circles and many meanings have been attributed to the teaching of the flower. Thich Nhat Hanh provides a beautiful translation here. LTMC discussed the possibility that perhaps mindfulness is truly as simple as enjoying the beauty of a flower or the pouring rain. If someone offers you a flower but you aren't present, you miss the flower, what a pity. Another thing discussed was our ability to simply be a beautiful flower in the midst of a questioning and suffering world. LTMC then pondered the lesson of the flower when managing a difficult person, perhaps someone who seems to find themselves in the same habitual patterns. Our impetus to try to fix another person's dilemma is so strong. Maybe we don't have to "do" anything, perhaps we need not convince, enlighten, or give advice. What if we sat peacefully, followed our breathing and simply held up the beautiful flower?

A LTMC community member then shared a beautiful tradition among African peoples--when someone has offended the community or is out of line, the tribe calls a meeting with that person, surrounds him or her and sings to the wrong-doer, reminding the person of their goodness--they hold up the flower.

We are beautiful creations, of this LTMC is sure--goodness, peace and well-being grace the many petals of our creation. If you ever need reminded, come visit us on Wednesday mornings, 7:30a, upstairs in the Lotus Room. LTMC hopes you have a wonderful practice week holding up the flower....

"May all being be happy,
may we be healthy and strong,
safe and protected,
free from inner and outer harm,
may we live in the world with ease and grace." *

* LTMC dedication, inspired by the Metta Sutra and written by Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com

Suchness...Say What?

Suchness is an eastern concept and word we've been studying in Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community lately. Here's the Webster formal definition of suchness--a nameless and characterless reality in its ultimate nature. How, you might ask, can something be nameless? Characterless for that matter? Suchness is an idea positing that nothing is a separate self-entity. For example, if we look at you, a name has been attributed to who you are, many names in fact: perhaps a profession, roles, gender, etc. however you would not be you without the animals, plants and minerals that you've consumed to fuel and maintain your body, nor would you be you without each formative experience, the beings and cultures that have come together to shape your beliefs and expression of your personality. Who would you be without your mother, your father, your ancestors? You can see that this idea of interconnection can lead us in many deep and complex underpinnings--all of which can be referred to as suchness.

Ahhhh, you and every occurrence in this natural world are miracles of so many perfectly timed causes and conditions. It's promising to be an insightful month of February as we dive into this theme that fits so beautifully with the Inner Constellation Blog purpose as seen in the welcome on the right of the homepage:

This blog celebrates that you are an expression of the Eternal: body, mind and heart are the gateways. Read on if you need reminding....

Suchness--nameless, formless, nondualistic, no coming, no going--eternal. As we enter the month of suchness, I ponder the next IC Blog Post with an image of a sculpture entitled, "The Death of Cleopatra." Its maker is remarkable and the story of how the sculptor came to be, even more so, as we'll explore in the next IC blog article, entitled--"Death of Cleopatra." Stay tuned and wet your senses until next time....

Mary Edmonia Lewis sculptor, completed in 1867

My Husband the Druid

This is a blog post about observation...oh, and love. Can you find the mailbox in the picture on the right? The red flag is up, indicating we have a pick up. Do you see our yellow pole indicating to the snowplow driver to please (pretty please on bended knees) drop the gate so as not to berm us in. Follow the snow line to the far left of the pic, just the tip of the pole with reflective gray tape is sticking up through the snow...and that sucker is 7 foot high! OK, so Tahoe has had a beautiful, awe-inspiring, old fashion dumping and our poor little Lodgepole Pine over top the mailbox took a massive hit. During the brunt of the storm it was weighed down and touching our driveway, blocking the Snow mobile Subie you see there and our mailbox. Of course, I went out brandishing the tree sheers, ready to unblock the necessities. You may be able to see a few spiky branches poking out where I had just started my attack. However, my dear husband came to the tree's rescue, "Noooooooo! Don't cut the tree." I stopped, I observed and I listened. His argument of leaving sharp, dangerous branches sticking out was valid, however, we needed our mail and we needed to get out! Breathing in, I knew that I was breathing in...breathing out, I knew that I was breathing out. In the pause, I became clear-minded and consciously decided for love over my way. It took a few more breaths and a little bit of humor as we spent another hour on top of the tree with the shovel, freeing it to spring back up to the blizzard sky. "What are you a druid?" I asked. We smiled and shoveled. Next onslaught was a few hours later as the tree was once again laden with 2 foot of fresh snow. Another freeing ensued...my ideas of how things should be: the tree and my husband all became practice partners during the ten day storm.

The January theme of Beginning Anew has worked its magic on me. In every situation, love awaits our surrender. Surrender I did, to a higher ideal of choosing love, peace and understanding. I hope our mailman forgives us. So far, so good as the sun now shines, the snow melts and our sweet, gangly Lodgepole weathers the storm, each day straighter, stronger, solid and free.

A Snow Angel for President Trump: Inauguration 2017

Inauguration seems a fitting event for this month's theme of, "Beginning Anew," as our nation peaceably transitioned power to President Donald Trump. It's been a heated, divisive time that as in any challenge has the ability to be transformed (Inner Constellation Truth #3). I'm fascinated by this idea of promoting patriotism and see great potential in the idea of caring for one's country and American citizens as a springboard for broader awareness of our world of which we are an influential part. Imagine a nation undivided and taking care of the needs and wounds of each citizen. Would this not then ripple out to other nations and peoples? I can't help but look at the focus of my work--individuals, families and communities and answer a most certain, yes. I've experienced the ripple effect of tending to the sufferings in oneself and this benefiting one's family and ultimately the community--now extend this to an entire state and country. If our communities are exponentially influenced by our peace and prosperity, Americans would reap that influence and prosper, thus rippling out to other nations. This idea mirrors the practice of Metta which begins with well-wishing for oneself, then for loved ones and continuing in concentric wider circles of care.

2007 Inauguration is a Beginning Anew moment for America and her citizens and an invitation to broaden our scope of awareness. Here were some highlights from President Trump's speech to ponder:

...American carnage stops right here and stops right now. We are one nation and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home and one glorious destiny....When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice....And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the wind-swept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky. They fill their heart with the same dreams and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator....So to all Americans in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and dreams will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.... 

May all beings be happy, healthy and strong, safe and protected, free from inner and outer harm, may we live in our world with ease and grace.

Gifts from LTMC Winter Reteat 2017

Hello Beautifuls and thank you for a most nourishing retreat this past Sunday. Torrential rain was Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community's practice companion that then turned to a massive, awe-inspiring snowstorm. So...being snowed in this week, a few treats were prepared for your enjoyment. If you made it to LTMC Winter Retreat, you'll recognize these offerings and they can further your practice into the season. Firstly, a slideshow of our day:

Followed by our afternoon 20 minute Total Relaxation in the Plum Village Tradition, complete with relaxing bells and song: www.dropbox.com/s/3wd892liymszqu5/Beginning%20Anew.m4a?dl=0

Lastly, the poems read to all the dear ones gathered together in our nest overlooking Lake Tahoe (in sweet, lashing rain:)

The Poem, "Mindfulness" can be found at this link: http://innerconstellation.blogspot.com/2014/01/may-force-of-mindfulness-be-with-you.html

Treasure
© 2013 Karla Johnston, InnerConstellation.com 

You are precious.

Beyond the value of gems, stones, or gold,
and you are not the exception.
Every one, no matter gender, creed or race
is equally worthy.

Every person, animal, thing
that breathes, contracts, expands,
houses the pulse of life,
is an absolute miracle.

We are glorious.
Holding the brilliance of creation
or darkening of damnation
in every word we speak.

If we saw, for brief moment, our radiance
we could never commit a harmful act,
for the understanding that we
would diminish it.

If we knew our preciousness,
hateful words could not be spoken.
Malice could find no home in us.
No conflict, no battle, no war.
Our one desire, our sole purpose
to keep carefully
this treasured life—
only ever cherish it.

In closing, it was mentioned during retreat that a dharma talk would be greatly appreciated and here is a most excellent resource of talks by Thich Nhat Hanh and a snip-it of one of my favorite Opera interviews with Thich Nhat Hanh as well. May our winter be nourishing with much joy, peace and happiness for ourselves, our loved ones and our community. 

Sparkly North Star Practice for the New Year

Here's a New Year contemplation for you--what means the most to you above all else? If you've partnered with me in a private session, you know this is the foremost question we answer. Why? Because it drives our thoughts and ultimately forms our actions. The answer to this question is what I've coined, one's North Star. Once we identify our North Stars--ie, that which is most important to us--then we practice strengthening these beautiful sign posts and using them to guide us through the challenges and joys of life.

In order to embody our personal North Stars there's a practice I call North Star Tapping that I'd like to offer as a practice for the new year. Here it is in a few easy-to-try steps:

• N  -  NOW
  
  Check in with resistance felt in this present moment: not past, not future, but right NOW.
  
  
• O -  O to 10
  
  Assign a number from 0 to 10 to any resistance in the body, mind or emotions, with 0 being       nothing to 10 being strong. This is referred to as the SUD number (Subjective Units of             Disturbance).
  
  

• R - RESISTANCE
  
  Target your resistance with Meridian Tapping (if you don't know what I'm talking about, go to my website and watch the media provided, scroll down to the Tapping Points Guide or contact me for a session).
  
  
• T - TEMPER
  
  "Temper" is to dilute or soften by the influence of something else. Our influencing factor is       Meridian Tapping--tap the points until you get your SUD number down to a 5 or below.             Temper your resistance, you got this....come'on, you're almost there. If you're at a SUD 5 or       lower, jump to the final step....
  
  
• H - HONE IN
  
  To "hone in" literally means to sharpen or make more precise. Hone in your North Star by         working it into your set up statement (say WHAT? If you're not familiar with this IC language, contact me or go to my Inner Constellation website and scroll down for a Meridian Tapping Point guide). So the set up might look like this: "Even though I'm at this (substitute SUD number), I choose (insert North Star)."

One of my personal North Stars is compassion as the number one condition. So, for me, my set up statement looks something like this:

"Even though I'm at this 5, I choose to practice compassion...."

Then we short cut our set up statement to a word or two. For me, this one word reminder is "compassion," as we tap on each point. As we go through the points we might wish to expand on our North Stars, "...I choose to practice compassion by____________________." Just tap and fill in the blank, let the brainstorm begin!

Even though we have resistance in the form of pain, or an emotional challenge, or whatever we've identified, we can still practice our North Stars. And in fact, when we do temper our resistance and embody our North Stars they become brighter and keep us on course.

Whatever is given energy, gets stronger. What do you wish to strengthen this upcoming New Year 2017? I would love to hear your answers, Bright Shining Ones, and partner with you to make it a reality in your life and the lives of your community and loved ones. May our North Stars shine bright in 2017!