Sangha of Auspicious Companions

September 1, 2012

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The Art of Losing: Poems of Grief and Healing

After the sudden death of his father, the poet Kevin Young looked for a collection of poems that might speak to his sense of loss. To his surprise, he couldn’t find such a collection, so he went to work compiling one. “The Art of Losing: Poems of Grief and Healing”. Young speaking on NPR shares, “[Poetry]is able to capture a moment, a feeling, perhaps a fleeting feeling, and even make …. music out of it.” This piece includes samples of the timeless poems from his collection. { read more }

Be The Change

Reflect on the poems or passages that have comforted you in times of grief and loss.

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“I Was Here”

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August 31, 2012

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It’s More Important to Be Kind Than Clever

“Brandon Cook, from Wilton, New Hampshire, was visiting his grandmother in the hospital. Terribly ill with cancer, she complained to her grandson that she desperately wanted a bowl of soup, and that the hospital’s soup was inedible (she used saltier language). If only she could get a bowl of her favorite clam chowder from Panera Bread! Trouble was, Panera only sells clam chowder on Friday. So Brandon called the nearby Panera and talked to store manager Suzanne Fortier. Not only did Sue make clam chowder specially for Brandon’s grandmother, she included a box of cookies as a gift from the staff. It was a small act of kindness that would not normally make headlines. Except … ” In this thoughtful post, the co-founder of Fast Company magazine examines what happened next, and the powerful reminder it holds for modern-day businesses. { read more }

Be The Change

A short passage called “Giving Somebody Your Heart” begins: “In every interaction you have with another human being — doesn’t matter who — you always have two main choices.” { more }

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THE ROLE OF OTHER SENTIENT BEINGS

In relation to the attainment of liberation from cylic existence, which is known also as “definite goodness,” the role of other sentient beings is indispensable. In the Buddhist understanding, the key spiritual practices that lead to the attainment of liberation are the Three Higher Trainings—higher training in morality, in meditation, and in wisdom. The last two are based upon the foundation of the first, namely the training in morality. As I said before, the presence of other sentience beings is indispensable for this training. This is how we come to the powerful realisation that the role of other sentient beings is essential in all areas of our mundane and spiritual activities.

August 30, 2012

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What Death Has Taught Me About Life

“When I was 12, I attended a boarding school that was also a temple. My parents came to pick me up to for winter break. My mom was planning on staying at the temple for a retreat, but I pleaded her to come back since I would finally be home. My mom listened to me, and we began heading back to my house. Dusk was drawing near, and the rain was drizzling. For the first time since I had gone to boarding school, my parents and I were having a happy conversation in the car without any sign of arguing. I can’t say I remember the exact moment it happened; I can’t even say that I remember it happening at all. The next thing I can vaguely recall is waking up in a hospital bed, and for the next few days I drifted in and out of consciousness.” A young woman shares poignant reflections on what her early experience with death taught her — about life. { read more }

Be The Change

Reflect today on what life’s finiteness has taught you.

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THINK OF OTHERS

Sharing the heart is a simple practice that can be used at any time and in every situation. It enlarges our view

and helps us remember our interconnection.

The essence of this practice is that when we encounter pain in our

life we breathe into our heart with the recognition that others also feel this. It’s a way of acknowledging when

we are closing down and of training to open up. When we encounter any pleasure or tenderness in our life, we

cherish that and rejoice. Then we make the wish that others could also experience this delight or this relief.

In a nutshell, when life is pleasant, think of others. When life is a burden, think of others. If this is the

only training we ever remember to do, it will benefit us tremendously and everyone else as well. It’s a way of

bringing whatever we encounter onto the path of awakening bodhichitta.

Of Interest to Readers

Has Pema’s teaching been important to you? Contribute to a new anthology by those who’ve put her wisdom into action—to benefit the Pema Chödrön Foundation. Read the call for submissions.

August 29, 2012

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The Power of A Grandmother’s Heart

Amid rampant gang violence in a Chicago South Side neighborhood, a grandmother has an open door policy. Diane Latiker, 54, started a nonprofit community with 10 kids in her living room in 2003. The program, Kids Off The Block, has grown to become a successful mentoring site and haven for Chicago’s youth, serving 300 kids last year. { read more }

Be The Change

Invite someone who is going through a difficult period to your home for coffee or a meal, and conversation.

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