it's time
With no special aptitude but willingness.
Continuing a month of quiet practice with guest teachers and me. Below, welcoming Beth Kempton, an audio meditation, and 20% off subscriptions.
Introducing dear colleague
, of —a flow of consistent nurturance. Her response to my invitation to write on silence was a short letter and a haiku that pierced my heart.
Quartz and Citrine at True Nature Healing Arts Foundation Carbondale, CO.
Dearest Elena,
Wow, what can I say? Such an honour to be asked by you, for your birthday. Thank you and of course.
What is your wish for your 54th year, I wonder?
Also thank you for the link to your piece on unprejudiced attention. It is my dream to do sesshin at Upaya one day (as well as to spend time with you in Japan – what a life moment that would be). I love how you talk about the joy and grace you are finding in your fifties. I’m not so far behind, but with my children still just 9 and 10, some things feel quite out of reach for me right now. I’m not complaining—this is a precious time for sure—just sharing that it’s so lovely to read about the way you live and travel and study and to tuck that inspiration away for later.
As for the poem, would this fit? It’s not so much about silence, but it came to me when I was doing my yamabushi training while researching my new book, under a vow of silence while climbing the three sacred mountains of Dewa Sanzan last summer. We had just descended the third mountain and returned to the pilgrim lodge, and I took a moment to sit in the garden and breathe. It was as if this haiku was waiting for me, and in that moment of silence, I had a rush of clarity about what I needed to do next.
sky drifts to nothing
twitching on the lowest branch
sparrow knows it’s time
Beth’s books and prompts keep me writing. But upon reading her line, “sparrow knows it’s time,” several images flash through my consciousness.
Turning eighteen years old this month, my son towers over me when I see him this week after a couple months away, hugging me tightly. His friends tell me stories of their initial adventures together, supportive and present beyond their years, as I negotiate trying to just be cool when we leave.
Closing out our final three months after four years of virtual Mentorship.
Our recent retreat at the magnificent True Nature Healing Arts Foundation in Carbondale with
at which I was student and facilitator equally, reconnecting to myself and my practice in ways I didn’t realize I’d needed.
With at True Nature Healing Arts Foundation this week.
Scenes of our Threshold live event two weeks ago at which
, and I taught collaboratively. I’d been so nervous to teach because it wasn’t a yoga event—Threshold is about life, writing our hearts, growing older and meeting ourselves with grace and dexterity. And yes, it’ll happen again.
The Threshold three, , and me at The ‘Quin last week, photo by Stephanie Scarcella.
With all of these scenes, I realize—it’s time.
In answer to Beth’s inquiry regarding my wish for this year, it’s time to prioritize more presence with my teachers, so I can meet my own discomfort with kindness. I wish to grow my capacity to readjust my attitude with ease. It’s time to lay flowers at the feet of all the women I’ve been, to greet the woman I’m becoming, with no special aptitude but my willingness. It’s time to let go of more opinions so I can be present with Love.
To dive into Beth’s writing, her life-changing magic of writing haiku explores finding beauty and solace in a heartbeat-sized poem. And Life, less than a hundred years, floats like a boat on a river is her take on the constant pull to be visible, and the good things that happen when we aren't. And her piece entitled The song of the ancient moon invites us to practice viewing life through the lens of our own mortality.
Below, a birthday invitation, an audio meditation, and a poem for you.
For my 54th birthday, inviting you to join me in supporting our local kids. Raising funds for our local grief center for children and families, Gerard’s House, is an honor for me.
Those who’ve lost someone to death, incarceration or otherwise can come, sit at Gerard’s House in circle for a number of weeks, to be heard and seen. Gerard’s House is place of bearing witness. I’ve taken their thirty-hour training, and will be working there over the coming years. Any amount means a lot for this project, and I’ll match as many donations as possible as my birthday gift to myself.
Thank you. Donate here.
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