Sangha of Auspicious Companions

January 29, 2018

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Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis

We live in stressful times. Even when things are going our way, the smallest speed bumps can wreak havoc on our inner and outer worlds, causing us to freeze or panic. In those moments, our greatest intentions of acting with love and kindness can go out the window. Gently preparing ourselves for setbacks and stress can be the best thing not just for ourselves but for others. “The greatest gift we can give our world is our presence, awake and attentive.” In this practical piece with big-picture perspective, Joanna Macy draws from ancient religions and Earth wisdom traditions to offer five ways to keep a cool head and warm heart in times of crisis. { read more }

Be The Change

Today, use your heart to deal with a sticky situation, no matter how challenging it may be.

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January 28, 2018

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The Powerful Stories that Shaped Africa

Speaking of Africa, Gus Casely-Hayford, in his 2017 TED talk, maintains that “no other continent has nurtured, has fought for, has celebrated its history more concertedly. The struggles endured and the sacrifices made to hold onto narrative in the face of enslavement, colonialism, racism, wars and so much else has been the underpinning narrative of our history.” He tells us about the Mali Empire, probably the greatest empire that West Africa has ever seen, and Timbuktu, whose 700,000 medieval documents are a great body of historical material produced by African scholars. { read more }

Be The Change

African folklore and legends are passed down through generations. Learn more about African stories, and find out more about your own family’s story. Write down what you remember parents and grandparents telling you about their history.

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January 27, 2018

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Walking as Creative Fuel

Over one hundred years ago, Scottish writer Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows, penned an essay entitled, “The Fellow that Goes Alone” about the simplest of activities that can yield the most creative thoughts: walking. In this ode to ambulating, Maria Popova weaves together quotes and excerpts from literature’s big proponents of the timeless exercise, creating a piece that celebrates a walk’s ability to awaken mind and spirit: “Here and now, the mind has shaken off its harness, is snorting and kicking up heels like a colt in a meadow.” Imagination comes alive while walking alone. With no one to talk to, no one to share, it can run wild in the “country of the mind.” Enjoy this tribute to a simple pastime with many benefits that most people can enjoy. { read more }

Be The Change

Walk solo after lunch today and see what ideas spring forth.

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January 26, 2018

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Frank Ostaseski; Lessons to the Living from the Dying

Frank Ostaseski is a teacher, international lecturer and a leading voice in contemplative end-of-life care. He is also author of “The Five Invitations: What the Living Can Learn From the Dying”. What follows is an-depth interview with him on the five invitations and more. { read more }

Be The Change

The Five Invitations begins with the suggestion that we “welcome everything, push away nothing.” According to Ostaseski, “to welcome everything means to be willing to be open to the experience.” Can you find the way to open to the experience of the death of a friend or family member, no matter how recent or long ago? What can facing this truth teach you? How can you meet the challenges of daily life with the same openness to reality?

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January 25, 2018

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The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters

“Something interesting has been happening in recent years. Meaning has regained a foothold in our universities, and especially in an unexpected place the sciences. Many of the “meaning” researchers are working in a field called positive psychology — a discipline that grounds its findings in empirical studies, but also draws on the rich tradition of the humanities. Positive psychology was founded by the University of Pennsylvania’s Martin Seligman, who, after decades of working as a research psychologist, had come to believe that his field was in crisis. He and his colleagues had made great progress with depression, helplessness, and anxiety, but, he realized, helping people overcome their demons is not the same thing as helping them live well.” { read more }

Be The Change

What is one thing you can do this week to help you live a more meaningful life?

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January 24, 2018

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Love Liberates: Maya Angelou’s Words to Live By

Maya Angelou eloquently describes how her mother taught her through her actions that love liberates, it does not bind. When she had a child at age 17 and moved out of her mother’s home, her mother advised her to always be true to herself and made it abundantly clear that she was always welcome home. By allowing her to go, and to come back whenever she needed to, her mother’s love liberated her to live her own life. Her mother’s recognition that she, Maya, was special and had something extraordinary to offer to the world, helped her to live her gifts. When her mother was dying Maya remembered how she had liberated her and was able to love her mother by letting her go. Her life is a powerful example of how love liberates. { read more }

Be The Change

How can you liberate someone you love, today, insuring that your love is a validation of that person, whoever and wherever he or she needs to be?

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January 23, 2018

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Joan Halifax: Buoyancy Rather than Burnout

It’s easy to despair at all the bad news and horrific pictures that come at us daily. But Zen teacher and medical anthropologist Roshi Joan Halifax says this is a form of empathy that works against us. There’s such a thing as pathological altruism. She offers nourishing wisdom to help all of us overwhelmed by the suffering in the world. { read more }

Be The Change

Roshi Halifax has said, “I am not a ‘nice’ Buddhist. I’m much more interested in a kind of plain rice, get-down-in-the-street Buddhism.” Practice a deeper form of kindness this week, less everyday niceness and more open tolerance and helpfulness to those in need. Practice a deeper form of kindness this week, less everyday niceness and more open tolerance and helpfulness to those in need.

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