refuge, resistance, resilience + radical self-expression

“The Sangha is an island of peace. The Sangha is a community of resistance against violence, hate and despair.”  — Thich Nhat Hanh These words of my root teacher Thây live at the core of our sangha’s suchness. They have shaped our evolution into a community of spiritual friends who find sanctuary in journeying together…

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new moon meditation | lunar wisdom

This world has tried to convince us to mark our days by the standards of industry, technology, and empire — productivity, performance and pursuit — and to measure and define our lives by the tempo of striving. Yet the rhythms thrumming in our veins remind us that we are guided by forces more powerful than…

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woman horizontal | tonglen in four parts

today, the exhale was the hardest. a trust fall in giving and taking —precious tears and shadowed fears, irrupted hopes and radical imaginings — into a world that cannot hold them gently. where supple lungs now resist the inhale, constricting to protect me from inviting in a swirl of noxious fumes (engineered to smother epiphanous dreams…

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embodied prayer | transforming the heart

Through our collective musing last Sunday, it became clear to me that “Transformative Love” is the energy that changes the shape of our hearts and minds. As I become more and more of who I am — and something new — I am contemplating the question: What does this look, sound, feel and act like…

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transformative love | what changes the shape of our hearts + minds?

Last week, we opened the new season of contemplation by diving into the study and practice of Transformative Love. Sangha is fueled by the cultivation of spiritual friendship where we support one another in developing spiritual faculties such as trust, discernment, skillfulness, compassion, and diligence. These qualities facilitate transformation and healing, and root us in…

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full moon + new year blessings

First of all: Y’all already know that every breath is a new chance to begin anew so today is no more special than yesterday for aligning your clear intentions with skillful actions! For those who are already clear about what you’ve been called to manifest — the energies to conjure up and call toward you, the…

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on the dharma shelf | december 2017

Originally posted on radical bodhicitta:
? In our very bodies, hearts, and minds we are programmed to be in relationship and community together. Breaking together means, when community gets tough, we can feel how much difficulty, pain, and suffering there is in the community. We break together because none of us wishes to add one…

living into community | interfaith thanksgiving service

Deeply honored to have had the opportunity to live into community and abide in Spirit with friends on the path last night. Bowing with gratitude to Rev. Jen Tafel for the energy of her vision and voice to widen the circle of inclusivity on multiple levels at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. You took no credit…

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bearing witness | new moon meditation

In Sangha last Sunday, I shared this beloved quote that I have carried close to my heart and have called up frequently during times of transition and transformation for over 20 years. It reverberates far, deep and wide in a season of bearing witness to our journey through challenge, change, growth, loss and renewal. So…

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friends on the path | zen happenings

  Top photos from Lansing Area Mindfulness Community’s Day of Mindfulness; b+w photos from the screening of Walk With Me. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° all beings without number, liberate. endless blind passion, uproot. dharma gates without measure, penetrate. the great way of…

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