Gasping to breathe,
to take that first breath.
Our original fear
overcome by being blessed
with a healthy, functioning body
& heart’s pure will to live.
Feeling my heart now
immersed in love.
Held by my friend’s love.
Grateful for the capacity
to love & recognize love
of myself & other relations
of the people, animal, plant & mineral world.
Offering my gratitude by sending out
loving-kindness, compassion & love
to my loved ones &
to all in the ten directions.
It’s wonderful what being with friends
can do to one’s heart/mind
to help remind us of our capacity
of love to overcome the energy
of fear, anger & despair.
Using an opposite reaction,
go towards fear, rather than away
when recognizing unnecessary fear.
Overcoming ancient programming
with present moment skillfulness.
With the support of friends on the path
and a vast, loving heart,
fearlessness is possible
with each mindful breath.
I go among trees and sit still.
All my stirring becomes quiet around me
like circles on water.
My tasks lie in their places where I left them
asleep like cattle.
Then what is afraid of me comes
and lives a while in my sight.
What it fears in me leaves me
and the fear of me leaves it.
It sings and I hear its song.
Than what I am afraid of comes.
I live for a while in its sight.
What I fear in it leaves it
and the fear of it leaves me.
It sings and I hear its song.
By: Wendell Berry
retreat flowers in nature
retreat flowers in vase
Looks like you had a good time at this retreat.
yes, dear Glazed!
perhaps there could have only
been pictures without words posted š
And that reminds me. If I ever attend a retreat, it will be a silent one. I love silence.
it’s wonderful to recognize our needs!
some benefit from more taking refuge in silence. others benefit from the refuge offered in sharing words š
Thank you.
you are welcome, Happee Bee š
This is perfect timing to read
A dear one is in the process of leaving his body… Now only with breath.
Thank you for your practice
Deep bow to you
grateful for your sincere words.
may your dear one experience with
with the presence of loved ones.
Makes me smile this morning thinking of all the beautiful friends in my life. Looks like a wonderful retreat. The space looks divine! Love all the pictures and the good feelings that go with them. Beautiful words.
thank you for sharing your beautiful gratitude! was a wonderful retreat into friendship through fearlessness. may we all feel befriended š
So inspiring to read you poetry and see the pix. Neat looking place for a retreat. Thanks!
thank you for recognizing
my retreat’s beauty, jurnal!
may your day be a refreshing
retreat, with warmth & cool breezes š
A delightful glimpse David; I can feel the good vibes that abounded. With metta, Hariod.
Thank you for being a part
of the continuation
of good vibes pulsing, Hariod š
Thank you for these beautiful words and images, David. I felt like you brought us into that circle somehow. It felt good to witness and share and to be reminded of moments like these and their value in supporting one another. Eggs and peanut butter and chocolate cake. Pony tails and sparkling eyes and loading zones. Everything so simple. So simply real. You’ve inspired the deepest breath of satisfaction I’ve had all day!
Love,
Michael
thank you, dear Michael
for simply expressing how things were
on the posted faces, hugs & tables
with clear, kind words!
i’m happy you like it.
had hot, brown & plenty of it
been served i would have been nourished
& happy,
but having an experienced zen priest cook offering gourmet vegetarian
vegetables, as well as chocolate cake,
strawberries & coconut milk
was bordering on the unmindful.
just because we’re meditating
doesn’t mean we have to suffer
from “boring” meals š
This is wonderful post… peace with beautiful minds… love and hugs with smile… I wished to be there too dear Smilecalm. And I love Wendell Berry’s poems… Always reaches my world in my heart. Thank you, love, nia
thank you for the kind comment, nia!
i’m happier now knowing you are happy š
so generously shared
heart sings joyfully
‘deep love for you!’
we feel you, too.
thank you for receiving
& offering a love song
so joyfully, meredith š
Beautiful poetry, beautiful faces of the sangha, loving friends, sharing the path, a most wonderful way of life. š Hugs, Sunny
thank you dear Sunny
for being so sunny
& offering hugs & warmth
to the world š
The gentle peace that you felt in this wonderful environment emanates from your words and images. Thank you.
thank you, dear one
for being there
with me
& my other friends š
A lovely tribute to the sangha of friendship.
thank you, Cate
for recognizing
the heart of the matter š
Hopefully the feeling stays with you.
thank you GMLA for again
offering your kind words!
while the feelings vary
it’s wonderful knowing that they can
be so beautiful, even on purpose š
Your pictures show all the wonderful things associated with the Retreat – the friedship and comradeship shown to each other that is heartwarming. All those people offer support, kindness and compassion to each other. It’s lovely to see people sharing happy moments together, as well as the sad ones. A lovely, poignant last section to your poem.
thank you milliethom
for recognizing those beautiful qualities
friends offered & I hoped
to express š
Beautiful piece, my friend. really beautiful.
smiling to it now being
even more beautiful
thanks to you, noelle š
Well, this truly reveals how lovely a retreat can be, my friend. What a peaceful walk through your time together. Thank you for sharing this. “Immersed in love…mindful breaths” Sounds perfect. I love the idea leaving and hearing the song… xx
when i returned after the retreat
& saw the happy images
i knew they should be shared!
now happiness continues
as you’re part of the chorus, Audrey š
Aw. Thank you…the chorus is a fine place to be. š
Omg that Wendell Berry poem! I am in awe š
it is quite touching, thank you sara š
Thank you for re-treating me
To your beautiful heart-connection
Gathering with co-hearts.
We will be doing the same come July.
Alison
how wonderful to share
retreats & happiness!
may yours be wonderful,
also š
Beautiful words and a wonderful reminder to stay connected to each other. Looks like a heart filled retreat. š Karen
thank you Karen
for being part
of the web
of heart connections š
Beautiful š I’m kind of a loner really. I have way too much ancient programming lol.
thank you, laura!
while i’m also more of a loner,
being with others has helped
slowly transform
seemingly stuck energies
into sunshine.
may your bay area day
be warm & pleasant
inside & out š
You’re welcome and thank YOU! I consciously make efforts to reach out. I’m extremely outgoing here and in person…I am exactly who you see here except I don’t trust. I’m working on it though. š It’s too windy to be warm and pleasant on the outside today though! lol
the first picture is really cool š
To be one with all. Precious!
thank you dear Michele š
Beautiful poetry. I enjoyed it. Thanks
thank you for your kind words, Deepa š
It’s positively uplifting to see the cheerful, happy energy radiate through your words and photographs! š Thanks for sharing. Have an amazing day!
smiling to your kind reflection, ShethP š
Absolutely amazing blog!
thank you for your kind words š