Dharma Talks...

A Dharma talk is when we sit around and have a conversation that takes a look at a Zen way of being so to speak...teachings on the path so to speak.
Last night was my first and it started with the following poem:
Saint Francis And The Sow
by Galway Kinnel

The bud
stands for all things,
even those things that don't flower,
for everything flowers from within, of self-blessing;
though sometimes it is necessary
to reteach a thing its loveliness,
to put a hand on its brow
of the flower
and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within, of self blessing;
as St. Francis
put his hand on the creased forehead
of the sow, and told her in words and in touch
blessings of earth on the sow, and the sow
began remembering all down her thick length,
from the earthen snout all the way
through the fodder and slops to the spiritual curl of
the tail,
from the hard spininess spiked out from the spine
down through the great broken heart
to the blue milken dreaminess spurting and shuddering
from all fourteen teats into the fourteen mouths sucking
and blowing beneath them:
the long, perfect loveliness of sow.


Beautiful huh? But more importantly the message of self- blessing is such a necessary one in our world today. Something that we could all use a bit more of in this world.
The commitment to deep self acceptance...to "reteach a thing its loveliness" even if that thing is oneself.

Here are a couple of other pearls:

• One cannot reteach a thing its loveliness if one is trying to change them.
• A soul or heart will not open in the face of judgement.
• Love expands, but we as humans contract ( to remain safe even though it is an illusion), and then try and protect the contraction...this only proves to keep us separate from one another.
• Love the obstacles in your life. Love the thing that is hurting you. It has a fragrance of the truth in it.

Well that is what I got out of my day so far....how you doing?

I would even go as far as to say that the above could qualify as sparkles and glitter...wouldn't you?

Be kind to yourselves today...practice self-blessing.

I bow to you in love and acceptance,
lotus girl

P.S. I know I may sound different ( a bit) to my friends and family...but I promise I am not coming home with a shaved head, wearing a robe, and chanting. However, I do think I am coming home different, having arisen from down in the mud...transformed into a sparkling lotus flower...God and Buddha willing. Big ass smooch to you all.

Nothing Like a Mentor...

I think everyone needs someone that they can look up to and go to for coaching, whether it be professional or personal. My someone was the infamous hairdresser, John Sahag, until June of 2005 when he passed away from brain cancer.

My hottie husband's mentor is Dwight Miller. Dwight was John's best friend, and his mentor as well.
Dwight lives here in Santa Fe and I just spent the last two days with him.
I got a rock star haircut...which makes me feel pretty again, and not quite so bad about how it has fallen out and changed. I also got the opportunity to hang out with him and hear all the stories about back in the day. He has been hairdressing for 44 years and "loves it more now than ever".
He was a delightful and charming host. He showed me a lot of Santa Fe, and it felt wonderful to be connected to the world again.

More than that though, I have fallen in love with my profession all over again. I have been cutting hair here at my Zen-get away for some of the residents. It is amazing how much everyone loves hairdressers. They have had so many questions, and pure delight in the results.
It is really wonderful to feel like you are contributing to another human being. I think it is the stuff that the juice of life is made of.

So tomorrow marks the end of week two, (Oh fu#&ing YEAH!!! ) and here is my list of what I have learned thus far...

1. There are things we MUST do in this life in order to maintain one's integrity...i.e. swallow handful of vitamins, exercise, eat well rather than eat what one desires... etc. etc. I figure I might as well enjoy these activities rather than suffer( self imposed) thru them.
2. I have really taken way more for granted in my life than I had originally thought. For example, since being here I have not had a car. I have had to walk everywhere... It was on one of these LONG A#% walks that the thought occurred to me that I really take for granted having a car. In addition, I realized that I have taken the quality of my life for granted for a very long time. Little things, like being able to leave your shampoo in the bathroom, not having to wirte your name on everything that you put in the refrigerator, sleeping in, or sleeping in a room where 6 other people do not walk through ALL NIGHT LONG!!!
3. My husband is truly one in a million and I am the luckiest girl on the planet that he chose me to be his wife. I miss his kisses and company so much and I will never choose T. V. over time with him again.
4. When some one offends, upsets, is rude or anything along those lines towards me it is an act of generosity to let it go. Besides it is not personal and it never is....
5. Gossip destroys the human spirit....It is so easy to fall into it even at a Zen center. I am far better served to walk away with a closed mouth.
6. I am closing my mouth more often.
7. I now like to go for walks. When HH ( hottie husband) used to ask me to go for a walk I would say "No thanks, only poor people go for walks...unless it is on the French Riviera" . I had a bad attitude and felt sorry for myself cause I wasn't on the Riviera. (I promise honey to walk with you every night or whenever you ask. And I will be happy about it and consider myself a lucky girl to do so.)
8. Eating healthy can taste great. I just can't be lazy about food preperation any more.
9. When I am out in the real world I realize how much I miss all my stuff...say what you will I am happier having all my girly glittery things.
10. I am getting through this experience a moment at a time, which is the best training for mindful living. However, if I had to be here on a permanent basis I would throw myself in front of a fast moving car.
11. Even though my kids can drive me nuts at times with some of the stupid, thoughtless things that they say or do....I love them with all my heart. I am so lucky to have them in my life on a daily basis. Plus, I really love who each one of them has choosen to be in realtionship with. People are amazed at our family story...and they really think we are good looking as a family. (and here I thought it was just me that was the good looking one...ha ha ha ha ha)
12. My sister is really one of my best friends....thank God for her.
13. My husband is my other best friend. His and my sister's support of me and my life is truly endless.
14. I still love the sits.
15. I still can't wait to go home.

See you all soon...and I will be workin' my rock star haircut, 'n wearing an obnoxious amount of sparkles and glitter.

Rock on,
lotus girl Publish Post

H-E-L-L-O, Anyone Out There??

Wow I feel so abandoned by you guys...hardly any comments at all. Is anyone reading this?

Oh well, even if not it makes me feel better to write it.

Since coming here I have been introduced to a new word, a new way of thinking. The word is impermanence. I mean we all know "nothing lasts forever" , but the concept that when something goes, (i.e. waistline, hair, youth, fortune, love of one's life, health, etc. ) it is as it's meant to be.
I found this book in the library called "201 Little Buddhist Reminders, Gathas for Your Daily LIfe"
by Barbara Ann Kipfer. By the way a Gatha is a short verse that you can recite during the day to help you attend to the present moment. Unlike a mantra, which is the same for all occasions, there are specific gathas for specific activities. The idea is that when one recites the gatha, one focuses one's mind and returns to what they are doing. After finishing the gatha one is said to return to the task at hand with a heightened awareness. Gathas focus on the small everyday things of life and express how everyone and everything is connected. We spend our lives individuating, separating, making one another separate and distinct. Our minds are constantly writing the story of our lives. But this creates suffering. Gathas are meant to help us be in the present moment, stop writing the story, and reconnect to life and people.

The gatha for "awareness of impermanence" is " With precision, I watch the wave of impermanence. The temporariness of everything teaches me the principle of harmony. When I do not struggle against it, I am in harmony with reality."

Here are a few more that I am sending to you...

"life's basic suffering"
Suffering is what I feel when I want to be in a state other than what I am in-wishing I was elsewhere. Suffering is what happens when I struggle with whatever my life experience is. Instead, I take the antidote: resisting less, grasping less, and identifying with things less.

"working out a solution to a problem"
I seek to be grounded in calmness and moment-to-moment awareness. With awareness, I feel creative and see new options, new solutions to problems, and am able to maintain my balance and perspective in trying circumstances.

"integrity"
I choose to do my job and live my life with integrity,compassion, mindful observation and a healthy sense of humor. In both large and small matters, may I always be true to my deepest principles so that my integrity may be a gift to others.

and finally...

"mindfulness"
Mindfulness is loving all the details of my life. Right now, I come back to my breath with mindfulness.


Anyway I thought it was a pretty cool book....I learned something new and interesting that I thought I would pass on to you.


Yesterday I went for a run and ended up getting caught in a hail storm...ouch! But the cool thing is a woman stopped to see if I wanted a ride. I was almost back at the center so I declined but it was nice to see the outreach on her part.

Not much else is happening...same routine as yesterday.
I am a bit more peaceful though. I am practicing being in the moment....it helps given I am still in the habit of counting the moments till I am back home.

In peace and sparkles...
lotus girl

details continued

Okay so after the 12:20 sit...I then go to lunch where the first ten minutes are in silence. After I finish lunch I am free for the rest of the afternoon until the 5:30 sit which is done exactly like the morning sit. Then it is directly to dinner. After dinner I am free for the rest of the evening.
No talking begins at 9:30 and lights out at ten, however these two rules are very very lax.

Then I wake up and do it all over again.

I miss T.V.
I miss coffee.
I miss my own bathroom and my huge tub.
I miss my bed.
I really miss my dogs.
I really, really miss all of you.

To make matters worse my roomie from Seattle left today. I really miss her too. Good thing is that we will hook up back home.

I am getting by O.K. I have noticed that I do not like the free time so much. I am happier being occupied. So this week I am going to practice spending as much time with myself as possible.
I have already begun to talk less to the people around here. I am just being with myself and my thoughts.
I do go into town a lot. I have begun to visit this beautiful church, St. Francis of Assis. I LOVE being back in the Catholic space. I feel at home there and it reminds me of my childhood so much. I even found a really cool necklace in the gift shop. It is of the Virgin Mother holding Jesus...and it is trimmed in... you guess it...rhinestones! See the catholics get the value in sparkle and glitter. I scooped that right up and I wear it every day to the temple and everywhere else around here too. As far as I am concerned this place could use a little sparkle and glitter.

And finally today marks my 10th day here. I am a third of the way done with my time here. Praise God, Buddah and everyone else that is getting me through this experience. I see value in my time spent here but sista' it ain't easy.

I trust that you are all well. Again I thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

In gratitude, and sprinkled with glitter,
lotus girl

A bit more in depth details of how it goes around here!

Well I spoke to soon about the sanding and staining...that was my job all morning yesterday...Hated! I had to re-do my mani last night. Today I was on house keeping...so that means lots of toilet scrubbing....Yuck! Let me tell you I will never dread cleaning my own home again.

Something interesting took place the other day. I was in a conversation when the word "God" came up and one of the residents here said "that is such an awful word". I nearly choked. I had to count down from 100 to keep my mouth shut.
However, the next day I got my oppurtunity when I was alone with that person to let them know my feelings about her harsh judgement. I believe I was tactful and respectful in doing so. Funny how here I am in this ZEN community and lo and behold...the judgement is even far and wide enough to include "God".

Okay I thought I would let you know a bit more about how things go around here.... first upon waking you make a dash for the bathroom as at least 10 or so people are sharing it on any given day. You can only use it for about 5 minutes cause everyone is rushng to get to zazen (meditation). Next is the sitting. One hour with lots of ceremony. LIke for example you must enter the Zendo, (temple) left foot first. And you are not supposed to wear nail polish in the zendo either, but I do. End of that story.
Then when you approach your mat you bow to it, the turn clockwise and bow again then you finally sit. When the bell rings that is it...no moving. Then 20 minutes later you hear a bell you stand and then you walk very very slowly for the next 20 minutes in a very specific pattern. Then you hear another bell and you return to your mat, bow and then sit again for another 20 minutes.
When you hear the next bell you stand, bow, and leave the temple in a very specific way,
Next is soeji (cleaning of the temple) until 8:20. Again done very specificly. Finally breakfast, in silence, then clean up and then four hours of my work assignment...usually housekeeping. Next is the 12:20 sit which is 40 min facing the wall, no walking. Which I have to leave for right now...so I will post again later.

Lessons of Week One

Well I have made it through the first week. Praise Buddha, cause it ain't been easy.
I am sitting at 7:00 a.m., again at 12:20 p.m. and finally at 5:30 pm DAILY.....so anyone wanting to join in out there, feel free.

As it turns out the sitting is tough but it is the most rewarding of all. I always stand up feeling refreshed and renewed.

Being here in a communal atmosphere is challenging at times. Six woman are sharing a room now. My anal retentiveness kicks in on a regular basis.

I have however come to appreciate the grounds. This morning I was eating a breakfast of plain yogurt and granola outside in the sunshine while I watched a hummingbird eat it's breakfast. The place is full of birds...(sometimes they sing so loud during meditation. It is so beautiful) and it is full of butterflies as well.
With week one behind me this is what I have learned so far:

1. People are people where ever you go.
2. I have a hard time just being with myself without the distractions of normal daily life.
3. I take a lot for granted.
4. We are all the same, no matter how rich, poor, ugly, beautiful, fat, thin...it matters none. We all think we are not good enough.
   
5. Given enough free time with out my beloved T.V. (which I really miss) I will do the things I normally resist...like exercise, or heaven forbid take a walk or be alone.
   
6. I still judge everyone and everything and probably always will, and so do you.
   
7. I will never not sparkle and glitter. In fact if I am ever really sick and can't dress myself, I request that my daughter be in charge of adding glitter and sparkles to my bedridden wardrobe.
8. Add making sure that my nails are done as well as all tweezing to that request as well.
   
9. I am going straight back to coffee as soon as I leave this place...for sure.
   
10. I am spending more time with the people I live and less time alone or with my T.V.
11. Ain't no place like home...just like Dorothy knew.
    

Okay, I am off of work today ( and thank God cause it is a community work day and everyone else is sanding and staining window sills.). I however am outta here to go and explore Santa Fe and find something to occupy and entertain me for the rest of the day. And I get to preserve my manicure as well.

I bow to you in love,
lotus girl

Are you awake in your life?

Today has bee a little rough for me. I really miss home. The days ahead seem looming and home seems far far away. I talked to a lot of my family yesterday, and that just made me miss everyone even more. But today is July 1st which means I only have 28 more days to be here.


I am keeping busy as best I can. Today I was a gardener. Boy I wish I could see some of your faces when you read that one. There are tons of bugs here...HUGE beetles that look like cockroaches. Plus I saw yet another snake. You can only imagine my experience. Breathe, just keep breathing.

Thursday and Friday will be my first two days off. That means I will only have to sit one time, (my choice) in the day. Sleeping in is impossible with four other girls getting up and getting ready to go and sit. Plus without the work to keep me occupied I have to find an alternative to filling my day. Most likely I will wonder about town and visit some sights and take some photos.

I miss coffee a lot. In fact that is the thing I miss the most, besides my family.

The sitting is very difficult. My back and my left hip are in so much pain. But I have to sit so I have to be with the pain. On the days when the pain isn't so bad I really enjoy the sits. I can see the value in them.

There is a group here called METTA. They are comprised of people facing terminal illness, mostly cancer.
I got a brief glimpse of the circle and there was a woman in it that was wearing a wig and in a wheel chair. This pushed a huge button for me as I trip out at times that people have to leave this life in that manner. Of course fear overtakes me that maybe one day Cancer might choose to be in relationship with me again and that I was glimpsing at my future. I simply do not think I could face that. Then my next thought is what other choice would I have??? I guess that is why I came here in the first place. I guess that is one of the reasons I am sitting.

I feel for my family though in the event that I should find myself in her position. I felt for the gentleman that was pushing her wheel chair. I wondered which one had the worse end of the deal?

On the upside of seeing her, I realize how precious every moment we have with one another is. How trivial and foolish it is to waste those moments. It makes me think of all the time wasted arguing with one another, watching T.V., avoiding intimacy, and keeping ourselves separate from one another with judgements, incorrect perceptions and fear.

I imagine that all those little sayings like "live like today is your last", and " life is short, don't waste it" take on a whole new meaning for her. Her goodbyes where clearly not to far off in the horizon.

It really makes me wonder why it is so hard to wake up in this life, to realize what is truly important and to act from that realization. Then once you do wake up it is even harder to stay awake. I would bet dollars to doughnuts that the woman in the wheel chair would take any of our mundane moments in our lives and turn them into a celebration given the chance.

Seeing her makes me want to live more full...more awake...everyday.

Sending all my love with a sprinkle of glitter,
lotus girlPublish Post