Buddhist-me can see the dharma in all things and appreciates skillful and compassion-centered wisdom from all faiths and philosophies. So when I spotted this sign on the way to Holt Farmers Market yesterday, I knew it was a message worthy to be spread!
Although I couldn’t find an affirming statement of inclusion on the church’s website, Q-Cross at MSU has created a list of affirming churches in East Lansing.
The Grinch had a little something extra behind that exhale!
And, yes, whether a belly-deep laugh or cry,
such a release can happen as we unlock and move tension through the body.
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me
as good belongs to you.
Clear and sweet is my soul,
and clear and sweet is all that is not my soul.
Welcome is every organ and attribute of me,
and of any (wo)man* hearty and clean,
Not an inch nor a particle of an inch is vile,
and none shall be less familiar than the rest.
I am satisfied—I see, dance, laugh, sing;
In all people I see myself, none more and not one a barley-corn less,
And the good or bad I say of myself I say of them.
I know I am solid and sound
I exist as I am, that is enough
If no other in the world be aware I sit content,
And if each and all be aware I sit content
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
No tree. No lights.
No wrapping paper or gifts (from mom or dad, at least).
No Santa.
And, this year, no snow…
Which is, as my 4 year-old son declared to his dad this morning, the sole factor dictating whether this “quintessential” winter holiday can happen (especially for us Michigan natives): “It’s not Christmas because it’s not snowing!”
The Zen(x)Mas Way
“Buddhist Blessings + Merry Christmas!” My sister, in all her silliness, affected a sacchrine, almost-pious, and breathy tone when I answered her call this morning. (I could tell she’d been cackling to herself while rehearsing this greeting in her twisted head.) We immediately burst into laughter!
Our families know that we are staunchily against the holiday madness that often prevails in the seemingly endless weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years. We’ll watch the holiday-themed movies and generate some cheer over food and drinks in the company of loved ones…
When a fellow member of my running group shared this image and quote with us all, I was “AUM-ing” and “AMEN-ing” at the simple truth of this message. The 8 miles I logged this morning in the company of friends made every step easier. Laughter, insights, wise counsel and encouragement filled every moment of our two-and-half hour excursion.
It did not matter that everyone could not go the full distance.
Showing up, being committed to ourselves, and supporting others in the commitments they make to themselves is the stuff that running buddies and good spiritual friends are made of!
It is a treasure to have partners who help keep us accountable, on the pavement and on our chosen life paths, as we make bold proclamations for our self-care and aspirations. In my twenties, I longed for this type of loving support and was grateful to find it when I needed it most. Just as crucial — I learned through those relationships (and continue to refine through my dharma practice) to be the same kind of friend I value.
Becoming a good spiritual friend (kalyanamitra or kalyanamitta in Sanskrit/Pali) takes time, experience, maturity, skillfullness, discernment, the willingness to be vulnerable and, in turn, to bear witness to vulnerability in others. It demands that we learn not to “co-sign crazy” (a mantra and rule that I lovingly and frequently remind friends, old and new, will be upheld)! Rather than join in on a rant-and-rage session or hold our tongue when a friend is out of order, we invite these dear ones to pause and look deeply when they are caught in harmful/unskillful patterns. We shine the light — helping them wade through the muck toward clear intentions and possible resolutions. We ask what they think they need or, when they’re uncertain, simply step back while offering to be there whenever they are ready to work through it. But other situations require that we share our direct observations because our friend’s perspective may be the source of the difficulty.
For those who lament the lack of sleep or time to relax, we support them in finding moments of peace. If they say they’d like to exercise more often, we invite them out on a walk. For the friend who has difficulty asking for help, we remember to reach out first. We learn better than to give the workaholic or the people-pleaser, who can’t say “No,” one more task to juggle.
The good spiritual friend learns to see clearly and to respond wisely to the need or challenge in the moment. No dictating, judging, or chiding. They deliver the appropriate support with compassion and understanding. They help us to go deep in our self-inquiry, to acknowledge our true desires and quiet fears, and to live authentically and wholeheartedly.
They sweeten the journey and cheer us on as we come back, again and again, to our true selves.
“Our practice is not an individual practice. We practice with other people, we practice with our Sangha. The Sangha is also our body… The practice of the second body is one way we take care of each other in the Sangha.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
View/Download Thich Nhat Hanh’s article in The Mindfulness Bell Issue #24: Taking Care of Each Other.
[18 March 2020 | Content updated to include quote + link to the .pdf of the original article.]
THE LANSING AREA MINDFULNESS COMMUNITY and
THE VIETNAMESE-AMERICAN BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION OF LANSING (V.A.B.A.L.),
Invite you to a
DAY OF MINDFULNESS
led by Dharma teacher Jack Lawlor in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.
We will enjoy sitting & walking meditation, chanting of the Heart Sutra, a group discussion & a Dharma Talk on the Sutra on the Full Awareness of
Breathing
Saturday, November 8th, 2014
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
at the Van Hanh Temple
3015 S. Washington Street (close to McLaren Hospital)
Lansing MI 48910
tscottmiller 