The other day, while walking along our neighborhood creek, I found myself overjoyed by the late summer wildflowers! I picked a few, and upon coming home, put them in a glass on our dining room table. The colors, scents, freshness... all bring such joy to me! My heart feels full with these gifts from the earth and these riches of my neighborhood. Later in the evening, while on a winding-down-the-day stroll, my 4 1/2 year ...

          Moving my body unlocks stored wisdom answers to questions I did not even know I had histories of who I have been in this life and in all directions of time. I am a kinesthetic person finding solace in movement releasing interwoven constriction breaking free of all that has ever bound me.

Wild Geese You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies ...

The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at ...

Ever wonder what an online meditation group is like?! Here is one meditator's experience from Stillwater Meditation's Sunday morning sangha:  ~ "I was anti-virtual sangha until I joined Rain. Rain has great capacity to hold space in any environment and the intuitive gift of creating the most supportive customized meditation guidance based on what is deeply present for everyone contributing that day. I am so grateful to meditate and connect with those near and far in a way that feels just ...

As we are settling into spring, I am beginning the spring cleaning in our bird's nest apartment. Whew! It needs it. A 3 year old, a busy mom, and a work-at-home dad... art projects, multiple home cooked meals a day, toys... toys... and more toys! And where is my desk... has anyone seen my desk?! Not to mention books... and jackets... and clothes of all sorts, washed and unwashed and hanging to dry and needing folding.... ...

The Heart's Coronation The pawn Always sits stunned, Chained, unable to move Beneath God's magnificent power. It is essential for the heart's coronation For the pawn to realize There is nothing but divine movement In this World. ~ Hafiz

Poetry is a wonderful accompaniment to meditation, especially when the poet speaks of a deep spiritual, human truth through skillful use of words. Naomi Shihab Nye is such a poet, and I first found her through her popular poem, Kindness. Here, I share a poem I read at a meditation group recently. I was guest teaching for Heart of Light Meditation in Berkeley, California. At the end of a silent sit, I read aloud these words. Naomi Shihab Nye The ...

Trust is the feeling of the ego dissolving. 

  Storm: Mama, you love me everyday. Me: Yes, I do! (I kiss him on his blond head.) Storm: Mama, you love me everyday SO MUCH!!!  Me: Yes, I love you so much everyday! (I'm smiling.) Storm: Mama, you love Daddy so much everyday too! Me: Yes, you're right! I love you and Daddy so much everyday. Storm: Mama, you love turtles so much too! Me: Turtles?! Storm: Yes! You love turtles so much everyday!!! ...