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Living from the Inside Out

Food for thought...

Living from the inside out does not mean living individualistically or in a self-serving manner. Living from the inside out means living what Glenn Hinson calls a "contemplative lifestyle."

For me, it means taking care of the temple of this life: my body and the circles of intimacy and responsibility in which I am embedded. It means, also, spending time in prayer, study, meditation and accountable relationships so that I am ever on the journey of greater congruency and authenticity.

As above, so below. As within, so without. In the bulb there is a flower...

Ash Wednesday

This year I commit, again, to the abundant spiritual life just hinted at in Isaiah 55.

What if Lent were about feasting (as in the marvelous fable Chocolat?)on truly satisfying things: meditation, reconciliation, courageous models, fragile connections.

What if notions of "giving up" were infused with the tenderness of Isaiah 55, not the trappings of self-hating and embattled Christian tradition?

Then, I suppose, we would actually really have the fragile wisdom and fortitude to walk with Jesus to Jerusalem...

Angels all Around

I wrote about this recently in my Living Well Together newsletter. All I can say is... I am soo incerdibly inspired by the GOOD WORK that so many loving hearts are creating together in this world. Turn off the 6:00pm news and tune in.

Woven and Not Yet Complete

have been very mindful this week of feeling like a tapestry. a project of God's. a deep-seated gratitude for all the places and people i've been. a calm appreciation and anticipation as the new unfolds.

byron katie calls it "loving what is."

i call it that. and, trusting.

Kata of Forgiveness

Ki haku
Truth unfolding opening
Grief constricting focusing
Pain emerging releasing

Shapes endless
Countless
One
Face:

Betrayal
Attack
Abandonment
Blocks
Vertigo

Ren ma
Grounding trust: worth
Claiming space: joy
Mastering anger: now

Rhythms unite
Offense
Defense
Practice:

Insight
Connection
Boundaries
Peace

Shuchu Ryoku
Surging peace work
Striking opponents true
Returning center free

No mind
Relaxes
Responds
Sei:

Compassion
Integrity
Reconciliation
Letting Go

Kata
Truth advancing
Breath guiding
Form containing
Power

Forgiving
Ki haku
Ren ma
Shuchu Ryoku
Osu!

“Forgiveness is taking into full account the extent of the harm done, and choosing to will the well-being of all the victims and all the violators.” --Marjorie Suchocki

I wrote this poem for the community of Thousand Waves Martial Arts and Self-Defense for their upcoming newsletter. It was inspired by the forgiveness film and workshop on forgiveness I led there in January.

Hang Out with Friends

A TERRIFIC EXCERPT FOR TONIGHT'S SPIRITUALITY GROUP:


"Jesus stays off the best-stressed list by nourishing in his soul a sense of belonging. He does not dam the rush and flush of feelings, but enters into relationships fully and participates wholly in life-- whether in their pain or pleasure, bitterness or blessing, trials or triumphs. Jesus has eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to break. Jesus invests in friendships..."

-- from The Jesus Prescription for a Healthy Life by Len Sweet

We'll be studying Sweet's book february 23-March 23, 2010. 7pm Meditation/7:30pm Study/Discussion. 6554 N. Rockwell Street, Chicago.