Celebrating Connection
I am feeling great appreciation for the values of the people in my community. The trip to the grocery store that takes an hour, with only 20 minutes of that spent shopping and the rest spent saying "nice to see you; what's been going on?" to one person after another -- the waves from passersby as I drive down the road -- the phone calls that say, "I'm going here; would you like to come with?" All this adds up to create a sense of being held in a web of connection.
Today I will go to a spiritual singing circle that I haven't attended in almost a year. I called ahead to find out if they were still meeting today with it being a holiday meeting. They say it has moved a bit later now, starting at more like noon than the former 10:00 am, but yes, it's happening. And I will be there. And they are excited to know they will see me there. No matter how long I am away I am welcome whenever I come. There community doesn't require that one pay regular dues with time.
Emails pour in from old friends in CA. I haven't lived there in 6 years and have only been back once since I left. I will be visiting in a few weeks and we are planning to get together while I am there. Our connection is not based on place or time. We are living in community.
For the Dalai Lama's birthday I did an extra mala of Om Mani Padma Hung mantras and reflected on the gift he brings to his community. He is an embodiment of compassion - a reminder of its value and a beacon of its realization. Compassion is the height of community connection. It says, "I am open to you and willing to feel with you. We are connected within our hearts and souls." It is a kind of connection that charges no dues.
Today I celebrate that, and you, and the chance that in this moment you might pause and celebrate the rest of us too. Just close your eyes a moment and become aware of yourself and all those people who populate your world. Feel our presence there within you. Remembrance is all that is required. Namaste.
Today I will go to a spiritual singing circle that I haven't attended in almost a year. I called ahead to find out if they were still meeting today with it being a holiday meeting. They say it has moved a bit later now, starting at more like noon than the former 10:00 am, but yes, it's happening. And I will be there. And they are excited to know they will see me there. No matter how long I am away I am welcome whenever I come. There community doesn't require that one pay regular dues with time.
Emails pour in from old friends in CA. I haven't lived there in 6 years and have only been back once since I left. I will be visiting in a few weeks and we are planning to get together while I am there. Our connection is not based on place or time. We are living in community.
For the Dalai Lama's birthday I did an extra mala of Om Mani Padma Hung mantras and reflected on the gift he brings to his community. He is an embodiment of compassion - a reminder of its value and a beacon of its realization. Compassion is the height of community connection. It says, "I am open to you and willing to feel with you. We are connected within our hearts and souls." It is a kind of connection that charges no dues.
Today I celebrate that, and you, and the chance that in this moment you might pause and celebrate the rest of us too. Just close your eyes a moment and become aware of yourself and all those people who populate your world. Feel our presence there within you. Remembrance is all that is required. Namaste.
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