If and When

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

and

“When we have accessed the peace that is ever present in our self under all circumstances, the body, mind, and world are profoundly affected, and, in […]

Hey Ma Durga

I wrote this poem a few days ago while I at the 2018 Deep Spring Meditation Center retreat at Oakwood Retreat Center.

Vipassana

V-vast are the stories I-incessant the grasping, clinging, and aversion P-passing away; what passes away A-and where does “it” go? S-Silence, stillness, smiling or sometimes sobbing S-Sitting, stepping, satiating A-Ananda, Hey Ma […]

Retreat Reminiscence – Heading Home

As Claudia and I are heading home today, it seems appropriate to close my retreat reminiscence posts with a visit to Still Waters. I went to Still Waters for the first time in December of 1995. We are so blessed to have Delcy Kuhlman’s vision of a space dedicated to contemplation right here at Still […]

Retreat Reminiscence – Friday

Phenomenal Retreat is the review of Oakwood Retreat Center in the fall of 2015.

Oakwood Retreat Center is a wonderful property, and one of my most sweet memories is hearing the migrating song birds as they gathered in the woods near the meditation hall.

Being able to spend time in nature is one […]

Retreat Reminiscence – Thursday

November, 2014, we were at Camp Geneva in Holland, Michigan. It was an amazingly gorgeous setting on the shores of Lake Michigan.

One of my most tender memories was of sharing a room with Claudia and Wayne. Claudia and I have been roommates many years, but Wayne was with us this time because he […]

Retreat Reminiscence -Tuesday

While on retreat, stuff comes up. While it is common to think what comes up is about someone or something else, it is always coming from within. With a bit of kindness, awareness can expand, leaving a space of love and gratitude.

The October, 2013, retreat in Howell, Michigan, presented me with roommate stuff. […]

Retreat Reminiscence-Monday

This week I will be at Oakwood Retreat Center in Selma, Indiana. I will be practicing noble silence along with all of the other retreat participants. While noble silence, or even retreat, may seem a strange experience to many, it is balm to body and soul.

This week it might be fun for you […]

Tree of Hope

Right after posting this blog, I was gifted a box of blank cards titled “Tree of Hope.” I am posting again, with the new title and with the front of the card now included.

Deep Spring Center Thought for Today

“If you wish to live in (a certain city) what might block you from […]

Infinite Possibilities

Deep Spring Center Thought for Today

“If you wish to live in (a certain city) what might block you from manifesting that move? Is there any question about your worthiness to live in a place that is most delightful to you? Any question about fear of getting what you want? The question here is not […]

Does the tree still live in your heart?

An alternate title for this post could be: Fleas Have Not Yet Flown.

Checking in with our small group on the Dharma Path (a two-year course with Barbara Brodsky, Aaron, and John Orr) on Tuesday evening, I shared feeling very sad about the removal of a beautiful, big, old (about 60 years), tree that […]