Monthly Archives: February 2023

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Aging as a Spiritual Practice

Aging as Spiritual Practice, Divine Grace emotional health gratitude Kindness possibilites Serenity spirituality True Self

I am teaching a 3 week workshop on Aging as a Spiritual Practice at the Center for Spiritual Wisdom in Brevard.  We have an amazing group of elders who are so wise and engaged in this process, I am truly humbled and in awe. I think some of you who are readers of my blog would appreciate the information from our last class.

The invitation in the second class was to review our place in the context of our lineage by entering deeply into the awareness of our mother (for the women)/father (for the men).  Imagine living their lives – in their times – under their circumstances.  Then zoom up to a birdseye view to observe the patterns of the lineage into which you were born.  See how you fit into that, and continue to play out the patterns of your heritage.  Notice of that what is helpful/useful – and what you might want to change. You can.  This is free will and choice.

The homework for the week was to continue to notice the patterns – and making conscious choices relative to what you see.

Then we wrote – and read – the obituary that might be written for us NOW and most especially we noticed what we wished could have been in there.  And, again – realize that now is the time to address that!  Choices.

Insights from this class:

All of us feel a certain vulnerability at this time of our lives.  If we stay with this – sink deeper into it as an invitation – we can see a way of being that is more honest.  More grounded. More real. More truly present with life and those around us. Be very patient; kind to self.  All we’ve done has worth. Now we can see/appreciate God’s creation more deeply. By being more quiet, we can invite the Divine in – right in and through us while still on earth.

Paradoxically, while feeling less able to “do”, we can practice more deeply the doing of the Divine through us. It is the will of the ego that is getting weaker here. Don’t fight this. Let it be. Let it rest. Lean into, open up to, allow the breath of the Divine to penetrate more deeply. As we are less ego driven – more present without resistance – we become part of the Gift of God to the planet.

This is the invitation of this time of our Life

Welcome that! Be curious – Let yourself be supported by the Hand of the Divine.

Vipassana Meditation

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Insight Meditation meditation Mind-Body Healing Mindful Meditation, mindfulness Vipassana

Vipassana (aka “Mindfulness” or “Insight””) Meditation originated in Burma in the Theravada or Hinayana Buddhist tradition.  Vipassana is based on the premise of Insight which recognizes that it is only by pausing to look within that we can notice our motivations for what we are doing and the stuck patterns of thought that keep us stuck in sometimes maladaptive behaviors.

Vipassana is also known as “Wisdom” meditation – based on the deep understanding of the three basic Buddhist principles of dukkha, anicha, and anatta.

“Dukkha”: the inherent dissatisfaction (suffering) we feel when we argue with reality; either craving for something we don’t have or not wanting what we do have.

“Anicha”: the inherent impermanence of all things. This can be a source of suffering if we are clinging/wanting things to remain the same. It can also be a source of great comfort if we can remember this basic principle in the midst of difficulties.

“Anatta”: the recognition that we are not our labels, roles, names, or even personalities. As we let go of the idea of a fixed identity, it grants us the freedom to be in love with life – in each moment – as it is, as we are.

This means our volition and action are a true choice, given the circumstances of each moment, from our best capacity in that moment, free of the guilt, self-recrimination, or blame of old mental tapes.

This is freedom. This is wisdom. This is Vipassana.