Thich Nhat Hanh's Message to the Next Generation — Feather Wisdom

A thought provoking speech by Thich Nhat Hanh, talking about how our generation has borrowed from our children and grandchildren - that this planet belongs to them.  He mentions how we've damaged our earth and borrowed too much from the planet.  He feels the people need to wait up as soon as possible and take responsibility - and it can't be done individually, it needs to be done as a group - a 'collective awakening'.

Hanh also mentions how we always want more (we're never satisfied, basically - not news to me).  Even when we get our needs met (shelter, food, heat, clothing, transportation) we still feel it's not enough.  That even people with butler's and/or fame 'suffer'. 

We need something more than things...we need love and understanding.  Peace.  I love how he says we cannot get these things - the things we're hungry for - from a super market. Check it out and see what thought's you come up with. 

Since When is Doing the Right Thing a Random Act of Kindness??

A little bit ago, I was waiting for an elevator.  I saw a lady with her hands full walking towards the elevator.  As the elevator doors opened, I asked her if she was coming to the elevator.  She responsed affirmatively, so I held the elevator for her.

She was very surprised I did that and thanked me. When I appeared puzzled, she said most people would not have done so.  I WAS very puzzled, as I only did what was courtesy and the right thing to do.  It never crossed my mind NOT to do so.

It's sad when doing the "right thing" is considered a random act of kindness.  Let's get these type of gestures back to being the normal thing to do!

My Soul is Feasting

The Winter Feast for the Soul started yesterday.  I have to admit, I forgot about it until last night after I went to bed.  So today I'm getting caught up.  I'm checking out some of the meditations that have been posted on their website.   I really enjoyed the Oneness Meditations, as I believe in all things being connected and one.  However, there are so many other ones available to explore!

One of the aspects I especially like about this event is that it involves individuals around the world from all religions and spirituality beliefs together.  I personally do not belong to any specific religion or spiritual faith.  As I've explored my spiritual path, I've discovered that all the religions and spiritual beliefs have so much in common.  With each of them, I find so many aspects I like that I decided I do not belong to any one (similiar in that aspect to the Bahai' Faith).  So for me, this event is especially beneficial.  I wish more individuals could see - and focus on - the similiarities between all the beliefs instead of the differences.  Then we could have peace.

Winter Feast for the Soul

This January 15 - February 23, 2011 the Winter Feast for the Soul will be held.  I just learned about this event myself from a cousin.  I went to their website to learn more about it.  According to their website, their Longer-term Vision is “We hold a vision that includes all spiritual traditions and organizations in a synchronized schedule for their winter practice periods. Through this collaboration we will all become part of a shared dream for a new consciousness and peace on our planet.”

As I read the above, I wondered what the heck did this mean?  So I dug a little more into their website.  According to their website, for 40 days each participant will “set aside 40 minutes each day to still and focus the mind and to dedicate that time to communion with Spirit.”

This event is not restricted to meditation.  While many will use meditation, contemplative prayer, reading sacred texts, yoga, journaling or expressive arts are other forms that the participants will use. 

Some history - this event started in 2008 with 150 people and has grown to over 20,000 in three years with participants from over 29 countries.  It was inspired by the following poem:

“What nine months does for the embryo
Forty early mornings
Will do for your growing awareness.”

~  Jelaluddin Rumi

I’m still learning more about the event and will share with you as I do.  It sounds like it should be very interesting and I signed up to participate.

I believe this is my last blog for my class requirements.  Please continue checking back for future blogs as this is just the beginning.  I will delve more into so many aspects of my spiritual path that I am on.  It’s exciting to discover my path and I can’t wait to see what’s around the corner.

Why Meditate?

Meditation is one of the best things you can do for yourself.  While I knew it helps calm the mind, I just learned it also helps reverse the aging process and for losing weight!  Deepak Chopra was on Dr Oz this week discussing these topics and more. 

Your thoughts greatly affect your health.  It contributes to cancer, aging, heart disease and more.  Dr Oz asked Deepak Chopra to share one thing people could do right now that would help improve their life.  Chopra replied, “Close your eyes, watch your breath for about five minutes, put your attention on your heart, and ask yourself who am I, what do I want, what’s my purpose. You do not need to know the answers, live the questions, and life will move you into the answers.”

Chopra also discussed how managing stress is very important for our health, as stress affects everything (including addictive behavior stress) which leads to heart disease, cancer, etc.  For managing stress, he say we should breathe (he has a special technique he walks you through on the show), pay attention to our diet (favor fresh foods, avoid ‘dead’ foods, the 6 tastes of life and the 7 colors of the rainbow), get a restful sleep (which he addresses more in-depth), and nutritional complements which we usually call supplements.

Dr Oz asked Chopra what our biggest mistake is and Chopra replied, “Biggest mistake is that people think there is a pill or magic bullet that will resolve all their problems. Healing comes from within.”

Adversity? Stay Optimistic!

I do seem to be in a Dalai Lama/Buddhist frame of mind since this class started.  Of course, with my topic he is one of the individuals that make news happen!  This past week the Dalai Lama had an interactive session with students in Gangtok, Sikkim, India on how to stay optimistic during adversarial times.  His message struck me as information that helps manage anxiety, and I figured it would be good to share.

As some of you may know, the Dalai Lama has faced his share of adversity in his lifetime, starting when he was 16 years old.  He’s lost his country and freedom.  However he managed to keep his mental state calm.  How did he do this?  The Dalai Lama states on his video clip, “when things look difficult, accept that.  When we face a problem, investigate that problem, nature of that problem.  If that problem can work on it through effort, than no need worry.  If that problem no need to work on it, than no use to worry.  Very realistic approach.”

I loved how simplistic his advice is!  It might be stating the obvious; however for those with anxiety issues, it’s not so obvious when in the middle of an anxiety attack.  As the Dalai Lama said, “Try it, in order to keep our emotion mind calm, than no matter what the situation, you can be happy person, and useful for other people.”

Now, I just need to have this advice tattooed on me somewhere I can see it all the time…

Kindness

I am so glad I took this course.  Writing this blog is much easier than I ever anticipated. However, getting readers after the class is over will be a little tough (suggestions welcome). There is so much to discuss that I am glad this blog will continue after class is over. From the comments I’ve received so far, I feel for the rest of this class I need to focus on what I’ve learned regarding anxiety, and I want to bring up random acts of kindness - especially with the holiday season upon us.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. ~ Dalai Lama

So let’s talk about it now!!  There are so many random acts of violence in this world. Years ago I got tired of it and thought, ‘what about committing random acts of kindness?’  Maybe this would help counter those acts of violence.  A few years later I discovered a small book titled Random Acts of Kindness and in the back their website was listed.  I was so excited!  One of my problems is coming up with inexpensive ideas as I don’t have money.  This resource helps not only provide ideas, but also gives individuals a support system where you can share your ideas, stories, and even blog about them. If there are any elementary ed majors out there, they also have resources specifically for you.

An example I can share is a friend came in a couple weeks ago all pumped up.  She was excited, surprised, and a little stunned. She had stopped at Starbucks on the way in. When she went to pay, she was informed the lady that went through before her paid for her (my friend’s) coffee.  It turned out the day hadn’t started the best for my friend, and this little random act of kindness perked her day right up. 

A few non-monetary ideas would be holding the door open for someone or letting someone go ahead of you in the grocery store (especially if you have a huge cart and they only have a few items).

Please share any random acts of kindness you have experienced, done, or seen.  Or any inexpensive ideas you may have.  In addition, I challenge you to try doing one random act of kindness this next week and share how it went and how you felt about doing it.

Happy Holidays!