April 14, 2025

It is tough right now to see all that is happening in our world.Many emotions come up for me that can be paralyzing – keeping me from positivelycontributing my gifts. Yet I can’t have my eyes closed and live simply byungrounded hope, because that is denial. I need to live with my eyes open tothe reality of what is happening and my heart open towards community, compassionand comfort.

Today we will be practicing Tonglen, which is “giving and receiving”.In this Buddhist practice we identify a feeling/emotion that we areexperiencing and imagine others experiencing the same feeling, even people wedon’t know or don’t necessarily agree with. Then we send out comfort, love, andlight.

For our listening portion today:

I amdetermined to cultivate only thoughts that increase trust and love

To use myhands to perform only deeds that build community

To speakonly words of harmony and aid.

Thich NhatHanh

I reference theauthor/scientist Margaret Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science; RestoringSanity: Practices to Awaken Generosity, Creativity, and Kindness in Ourselvesand Our Organizations; and Who Do We Choose to Be