One week ago my Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher Kate started our full day meditation retreat by sharing aloud the following nuggets of wisdom to help us through our day of contemplative silence. I found them to be very helpful- during the retreat and over the course of the week as well doing day to day things like driving in thick traffic, chasing after a now crawling baby, and taking care of a sick cat. Perhaps you may find them helpful too.
Don't' believe everything you think.
A kind heart is the antidote to an unkind mind.
If we treated our friends the way we sometimes treat ourselves, we wouldn't have any friends.
Qualities of being--like kindness and happiness--can be cultivated.
What we practice, we will get better at. What we get better at, will become habit.
Ask yourself: am I watering the seeds of suffering by resisting this moment?
And, last but not least:
When the moment is over, it's over. Let it go.
The teacher also read poetry intermittently over the course of the retreat during transition periods between meditation practices. Two of the poems I've included below.
"Allow"
By Danna Faulds
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in-
the wild and the weak; fears,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.
This next one is an oldie but a goodie. It is a poem I read to my patients when we are talking about emotions. But I have to say, I loved switching back into the listener role when the retreat teacher read it aloud to us. I was able to internalize the meaning of the words in a deeper way.
"The Guest House"
By Jelalludin Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Have a peaceful week everyone. You are in my thoughts.
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