Video

Life in a Day

For me the essence of Tonglen practice is remembering "Other people feel this too." When I touch into pain or joy, knowing that I am not alone connects me to the mystery of the shared journey.

This looks like an amazing tribute to this embodied adventure.  The first comment on the page:  "If aliens came to earth, I would show them this movie."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT_UmBHMYzg

 

(Thanks, Ellen.)

Gratitude

At dinner many years ago a guest, (I swear it's true) named Kabir said, "Isn't the shortest and highest prayer just two words -- 'Thank you?'" I remember that often.  Gratitude changes everything.

A short film on gratitude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2ofrX7jAk&feature=player_embedded

 

(Thanks, Ellen.)

Beautiful

Over the years a lot of folks have asked about the soundtracks to my CD's Art of Relaxation and Energy Awareness Meditations, as they work so beautifully with the guided experiences.  I had originally wanted to go with a dual binaural soundtrack, but when I started working with Mark Kelso, who created the soundtrack and produced the CD's, I knew there was nothing like having such a sensitive and creative presence such as Mark to draw the listener ever-deeper. Mark has some new CD's out and they are truly wonderful.  Here's a simple video that features one of his songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL3Vs5jaT88

You can read more and order CDs or follow links to tunes here at Mark's site.

He's masterful.

 

 

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Equanimity and Joy

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Equanimity and Joy are two of the 'immeasurable states.'  When we experience them there are no limits to how vast they extend. I gave a talk this week on Equanimity, which is on my podcast or streaming here.

But here is an inspiring expression of limitlessness in the face of hardship.  Get out your kleenex for this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=W86jlvrG54o

 

(Thanks, Bob.)

 

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Small Changes

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I'm a bike freak. I've had many bikes over the years, mostly trying to modify them to fit my 6'5" frame.  I could never get very comfortable on them as much as I wanted to.

Way back when I completed my Peace Corps stint in Niger, West Africa, I built a bike up and attempted to cross the Sahara Desert from south to north.  The dust and sand got so bad I would have to repack the bearings again and again.  This was before mountain bikes and sealed bearings.  (The harmattan winds and hot season came early that year and got the better of me.  I realized later the sizzling sound in my ears was my brain deep-fat frying.

I've had a folding bike and recumbent bikes, which are simply amazing.

When I moved to Northern VA I was limited to trails, so had to give up my recumbent.  After a fair bit of research I discovered a cool kind of bike which is starting to make waves.

This is a modified RANS semi-recumbent that functions as a cargo bike.  You can fit six full grocery bags in the panniers, enough kit for a long trek or enough to go 'condo camping' for the day.  It's extremely comfortable and actually quite stable on the trails.

I got mine at the ultimate emporium for non-ordinary bike enthusiasts here in the DC area, Bikes at Vienna.  John Bruno is the owner.  They'll take good care of you and let you explore their selection of recumbents, trikes, folders and cargo bikes.

 

There's a documentary in the works on cargo bikes and it suggests how the little things we do to cultivate greater sustainability make all the difference.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yy3kXIaKp8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

Take From Me

"Take from me everything that takes me from you" is part of the following video. This week in class I'll be talking on the subject "How to Let Go."   Part of Being is Letting Go - of the past and the future.

A lot of letting go in my life right now, between my dad, who is now in a retirement community and feeling his life falling away and my pup, who in his old age tends to walk sideways instead of forward.

You may find the lyrics and visual soothing, as I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD5RptXVAh8

 

(Thanks, Barry.)

Finding Forgiveness

Attentional training is more than just being aware of what is happening while it's happening.  It's exploring how we are relating to what is happening.  One element leads to wisdom.  The other leads to compassion. A mind-blowing journey and program on healing the heart in this video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCGKo715I6Q

 

(Thanks, Cheryl.)

Happy for No Reason: Inter-species Frivolity

A rush of Happy for No Reason videos recently, all in inquiry around the spiritual practice of being happy ... for no reason. Here we've got some amazing communication going on between a cat and dolphins.  It's better with the sound off  and a little contemplation on just what is going on between them.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rynvewVe21Y