Hari Om

Praying Mary Oliver It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.

Another voice. That is the key to truly understanding that there is no way you are alone. In the depths of the greatest belief of your isolation, it is still true that you cannot be alone. If what you are made from is also what I am made from, and there is nothing new under our shared sun, then we are both made of old things. Old things are pulsing through us. Things that have been here, and have seen this, and will move through this with a grace that may, at times, be unimaginable. Not knowing who we are means not knowing if who we think we are is real. Hint: it’s not. Not really. And the problems arise when we are trying to liberate ourselves to become this next thing, thinking we can carry who we thought we were with us. There are a thousand tiny deaths we must die just to be alive. Those are the letting go moments that open us. Step into this!

bell hooks also offers us a reminder that we are held this morning in 6. from Appalachian Elegy, her loveletter to the place from where she learned to live and love this world.

Appalachian Elegy 6. bell hooks listen little sister angels make their hope here in these hills follow me I will guide you careful now no trespass I will guide you word for word mouth for mouth all the holy ones embracing us all our kin making home here renegade marooned lawless fugitives grace these mountains we have earth to bind us the covenant between us can never be broken vows to live and let live

The covenant between us can never be broken. Ah! There it is! This promise is kept in so many ways that once we are here, and we know it, we can never not be here. We can only imagine, once again, that we are not. We can only believe we are somehow not where we are supposed to be. But the truth may be that what is not supposed to be is the belief in the first place. And, even the belief of not belonging invites us into our belonging.

Thank you, friends, for being here with this practice. We will not be holding practice on Wednesday or Thursday of this week, however will return Friday. I am considering rolling out some modules in a workshop format surrounding Poetry and the Practice, as well as Recovery and Breath. I will post more on those two separate sessions soon, and will be asking for people who would like to attend to RSVP. Let me know your level of interest below.

All In Love,

Michael

Generate Generosity