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I don't know why they chose me, these two men of very different ages, who each at separate times, approached and wordlessly asked if they could sit. I had plopped myself beneath a willow on the far side of the lake, grateful to have prayer time outside in the heat.
Lake Elizabeth, Fremont
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Note: This post was originally published as an essay in the Passages issue of Inquiring Mind, Spring 2011
‘I went down, down, down and the flames
went higher...'
Ring of Fire
Note: This post was originally published as an essay in the Passages issue of Inquiring Mind, Spring 2011
This summer at
Spirit Rock Meditation Center, I attended Grief
Ritual: A Daylong Workshop for Collective Healing, with Dagara healer
Sobonfu Somé and Buddhist Teacher Spring Washam. Designed to penetrate our
barriers to grief, the daylong offered a sacred container in which to express
the pains and emotions of loss. I have never experienced the meditation hall so
aflame. In the morning we sat in cool stillness, following our breath and
listening to the teachings with quiet curiosity. By afternoon, we were wailing
and dancing, the incessant drumbeat carrying our sorrows toward the colorful
shrines we’d created, our losses laid bare in prostration or in carefully cradled
croons. Mothers
mourned lost children, daughters grieved their fathers; there were survivors of
cancer and addiction, infertility and childhood trauma. Folks risked expression
of their suffering, and for
many of us, I believe it was healing.
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An old 2007 Facebook activity, resurrected in the name of writer's block, aka 'sloth':
My first "official" date was in 5th grade, and included racing go-carts on a home-grown course.
My sister is my best friend. I am also blessed to have several best friends who are sisters.
My favourite store bought comfort foods are - savory: boxed Macaroni & Cheese (Kraft then, Annie's now), sweet: Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Frozen Yogurt.
I wish more people felt comfortable naked.
I knocked out my two front teeth during my own birthday party at Derr's Skating Rink.
25 Random Things About Me
An old 2007 Facebook activity, resurrected in the name of writer's block, aka 'sloth':
My first "official" date was in 5th grade, and included racing go-carts on a home-grown course.
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I know, do I really even need to write anything? She's stunning. She's precious. She's fickle. She's a badass. She's my sun and stars.
phoebe's story, part i
I know, do I really even need to write anything? She's stunning. She's precious. She's fickle. She's a badass. She's my sun and stars.
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Oh, the woes of urban monkdom. I know it sounds ridiculous, but before I took my vows, my first monastic dilemma was whether or not I could go see The Birds on the big screen in downtown Berkeley. It's running tonight and has been on my calendar for ages. I know, I know...paying money (which I don't have) to see ravens pecking out the eyes of alluring blondes doesn't exactly support the goal of quiet, stillness and listening for God. But it's the big screen! And it's Tippi Hedren!
This is for The Birds!
Oh, the woes of urban monkdom. I know it sounds ridiculous, but before I took my vows, my first monastic dilemma was whether or not I could go see The Birds on the big screen in downtown Berkeley. It's running tonight and has been on my calendar for ages. I know, I know...paying money (which I don't have) to see ravens pecking out the eyes of alluring blondes doesn't exactly support the goal of quiet, stillness and listening for God. But it's the big screen! And it's Tippi Hedren!
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Birthday Candles - Make a Vow!
Today I turned 39 and gave myself a most unusual gift - I took monastic vows. I mean serious, year-long vows. Before God and 5 supportive council members, I took Christian vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and I took refuge in Buddhism's Triple Gem. I'm officially a monk. Congratulations! I hear you saying, all the while thinking, What the heck is she talking about?
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