Often when I’ve written about Shadow Work, it has been from a defensive place. I hear the skeptical voices of some of my Buddhist friends and teachers in my mind, questioning my focus, especially whether it is downward looking rather than transmuting/transcendent. However, I think I may have misunderstood some of what they taught me;Continue reading “Integrating the Shadow”
Category Archives: Contemplative Exercises
No one wants to be enlightened
[[ P.S. Note: This post didn’t come close to expressing what I hoped it might. For one thing, it isn’t true that I don’t fit into community at all. Rather, I was speaking to various efforts to fit with specifically spiritual communities. For another, aspiration and ‘plans’, as though I think something is in myContinue reading “No one wants to be enlightened”
All the little things and past things
When I first came out of therapy years ago, I had the sense of it being merely a stepping stone to the higher way (meditation) I’d discovered within that self exploration. Whereas therapy would often leave me feeling drained and sad, resigned, meditation and contemplative study generally elevated my mood and stirred up innate playfulness.Continue reading “All the little things and past things”
Come to the dark side…
Fantastic interview up on the Waking Up app: The Dark Side of Meditation. I’ve listened twice so far, since I listen while multitasking, inevitably missing out on portions, but this topic rarely comes up (Let’s face it, in our day-to-day circles, there are already enough detractors, so who wants to fill the inspirational space withContinue reading “Come to the dark side…”
Asking and Answering
Although I originally subscribed to the newsletter How to Save the World because I was researching a project the writer was involved in, I came to appreciate his writing and sincerity. His awakening has felt to parallel mine at times: starting off with a strong desire to seed change in the world, then with deeperContinue reading “Asking and Answering”
Use your words
It matters to use our words, to let our voice be heard, no matter how small the context. The gesture matters … the still small voice. The post I wrote yesterday was uncomfortable for me, even without crossing (current, changing) boundaries or sharing too much. Yet, last night I slept incredibly deeply, without anxiety. InContinue reading “Use your words”
Honoring the Space as Object
Ah hah! Learning about natural-looking spray tan, cute t-shirt tricks, and magic moisturizer brands is fun, and as I wrote before, nicely distracting from terribly serious matters on my mind as of late! BUT, since consciously deciding to linger in a ‘clean slate’ sort of space, I want to be careful not to fill thatContinue reading “Honoring the Space as Object”
The Blank Slate
As you see, bolder formatting is temporarily gone from this site. I’ve stripped it down while making changes, but also to symbolize my current state. In meditation this morning, the theme of faith arose. Unkind thoughts were present – an argument I’ve been having with someone for as long as I can remember… feelings ofContinue reading “The Blank Slate”
One Day
I’ve been rather (overly?) ‘thought’ful in my writing here of late. So much has been on my mind that I’m not sure whether or how to talk about, and until I am sure, I’ve decided to try to work it out in other ways. Retail work has been the most surprising of those ways… gettingContinue reading “One Day”
Zeroing In
So, I’ve been doing shadow work–contemplative work which includes intentionally going into the emotional places I’d rather (and usually do) avoid, and searching around in there to see, “What still hurts?” Basically, it’s a check up. In the same way, I have a shoulder issue which bothers me occasionally, but only when and if I’mContinue reading “Zeroing In”
