Constellation of Caring

Tim’s Photo of the Whirlpool Galaxay

I like the word the constellation.  It conjures imaginings of the night sky:  vast, wondrous, mysterious manifestations of light that draw “me” out of “my self”.  Gazing inward and upward I experience being beyond knowing.  Out there alone together, together alone. Yes, another metaphor is coming on. I am part of a constellation of caring as family member, friend, body worker and human being.  We shine alone and together in a myriad of different ways, intimate and distant, radiant and dim.

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Pajama Days

Our Many Faces Transcribed on the Rakan disciples at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

Today I can breathe through my runny nose!  My chest rattles when I cough but the headache is gone!  Chills, fever, soreness gone!  For days I’ve been watching my body yield and engage with this illness – probably a virus that doesn’t belong – yielding to interesting periods of rest and wakefulness.  The desires for food, activity and distraction are silent.  Engaging with bouts of heat expelling the by products of the struggle with this unwelcome guest.    Yielding again to rest and restore that precious life force:  Prana.

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At the Banquets of Life, Bring a Big Spoon

This is My Mom in the Day

This is Mom, early twenties, Ontario, Canada in a borrowed car looking glamorous.  Her family emigrated there from Belgium after World War II.  I just got off the phone with her.  She’s spent the last six months undergoing treatment for colon cancer:  multiple surgeries and chemotherapy.  I want to celebrate:  Today, I heard life in her voice!  She’s gradually emerging from the seclusion of fear and pain.  She described making and receiving calls, taking short walks and eating more regularly.  The little things are pretty big when you go without them.

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At the Crossroads in the Snow

Red Velvet Buddha in the Snow

It’s hard to see that the Buddha is smiling even though it’s cold.  Isn’t that just like him?  The embodiment of equanimity.  I am humbly reminded that it takes practice.  In Taking the Leap Ani Pema Chodron urges us to practice for each other and even the survival of the planet.  She challenges us to recognize that we are always at a crossroad of choice.  She encourages us to have faith in our potential to disentangle ourselves from old habits and our ability to love and care about each other.  All it takes is a pause:  three conscious breaths.  That ‘s easy, isn’t it?

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Yet Another Experiment in Sharing!

Welcome!  I intend to use this site to share my explorations of bodywork, meditation and yoga.  I also think this will be a fun way to share what concerns and delights me in art, music, books and film.  (Oh and did I forget to mention adventure and food?) Thanks for traveling the path with me a bit!