I'm a recovering alcoholic. 5 years into my sobriety journey. The light kept me from harm in dark days, and accompanies me in kinder days. I see the light in every story in my home group. These days I see it everywhere, especially when I'm appreciating small things. Like my peaceful house and my cat at the end of my comfy bed. And the small miracles, like when seeds germinate down my allotment, or my adult children see the light in their lives.
I was also reminded that I saw Leonard Cohen 4 years ago in Moseley at a festival via facebook, today and then wondered here, more light perhaps?
Hurray for sobriety! When I was going to 12 steps I had the same experience - the light streams out of people in there. And ooh how amazing that you saw him. What a man. Sending love!
I am a planner - part of my being committed to efficiency - to make the most of our limited time. But I've been noticing more and more how my planning - which starts when I first wake up and think about the order in which I should do the morning tasks (after meditation which thankfully comes first.) Anyway, both days of this weekend I have reminded myself to let the day unfold. To experience the moments as they come and not be so busy thinking about what comes next. And it has really brought lots more light to my life. I've been able to enjoy what I am doing, and really listen to the people around me. It's been nice. I feel a bit guilty as I face the week with some things not done - and I see the beauty of the setting sun right now and can revel in it. Truly a glimpse of the light.
I've been doing a certificate in counseling skills and this week we read each others self-assessment essays - more than glimpses of light, floods of it. What an honour to be invited to do that and beautiful how different each is
I remember being part of a 9 month long dharma journey with Dharma Ocean, focus on somatic practices, focusing heart practices, allowing trauma to arise, exploring “behind” blocked areas…and in the guided meditation, this is the quote that was used…and has been with me every since.
I have faced many dark times since. When I revisit the past, moments of fear when I am surrounded by darkness, fear of the future.
And I come back to this quote.
There is always a crack.
Here at the sea, there is so much light, even at night, the waves up even the slightest bit of starlight, moon peaking out from clouds.
The light of dawn approaching, pierces my nightmares, whispering, the turtles are waiting.
My husband’s depression or cancer, my anxiety over my health, is my daughter and her family, especially my grandies, are they safe? will the rockets land in any of my lived ones? on anyone? are the beings that are treasures of this earth, are they suffering?
A bit if reaction, light isn’t “underneath”, it is in each strand if darkness, woven into each thread, we just have to pause our business, life our heads to this moment, and let ourselves see it. The light is everywhere. Especially in the faces, the eyes of my grandies.
I catch glimpses of light when I am, or someone I'm supporting is, struggling with something painful, and then manages to see the silver lining in the cloud, or the gold that can be mined. I had an example recently when someone was telling me something "weak" about himself, and I commented that he is still standing, and doing his work, not least by taking time with me. This was a revelation. To quote Rumi, every tricky experience "has been sent as a guide from beyond".
How interesting John that the light is even more visible to you when there is struggle, or when others are struggling, and they manage to see their own light - something about how that brings hope, or provides an example... love that Rumi quote. And I also hate it sometimes, when I'm struggling with one of my 'guides from beyond'! Good to have you here.
At the heart of Mindful Self-compassion (that I practice and teach) is the belief that by naming and allowing pain and struggle we can find the gift from the guide. If we resist it becomes suffering, if we allow it can become transforming. The practice, and this is where it's so close to your IFS material, is to remember that there are no bad parts to hate; that can be really tricky when it's all piling in, and yet there's light in there somewhere. I'd be happy to expand further if you'd welcome that. It might encourage me to publish something on Substack for myself!! :)
One of my favorite activities is hiking through the Open Spaces (undeveloped woodlands) in a small city on the central coast of Oregon (U.S.A.). I always take my camera with me to document the things I find of interest as I hike. I find the best things to photograph when I look carefully at spots of sunshine that make their way through the mostly-coniferous trees. That spot of sunlight has travelled 93 million miles to highlight a spot in the woods for me to appreciate and often photograph.
I catch glimpses of the light when I feed the feral cat I had neutered and am trying to tame; when I tend our chickens and experience their joy in life; when my daughter and I laugh together.
Ooh, my initial turn-on-my-phone response is one to the excellent quote from Leonard Cohen. It is the brokenness in everything I first see - in the world, in the earth, in us , in me. The flaws in my ceramics, sometimes wonky, sometimes battered, and even cracked after the fire. And my thoughts go to kintsuki, the mending with gold, and how a gentle healing is needful...
Yes, beautiful Janey. I'm wondering if you're saying something about how the cracks and the light need each other? That the cracks in your ceramics ARE the light? I'd love to see a picture of them sometime! Thanks for being here, appreciate your presence as always.
Is it cheating somehow to comment on my own prompt? 😉
This morning I woke with excited anxiety, knowing that this first prompt was going out and knowing how much love and effort I put into it (and those that are coming next), and wanting some affirmation from people that they like it, that they like me.
It's a feeling I know well from when my books first get published or when I have an article in a magazine I admire.
I am looking out at the temple garden in the sunlight and asking myself, where is the light? And I just caught a glimpse of it - baked into the MAKING of this prompt, not the resulting piece, and not the affirmation that comes (or doesn't).
The light is already there. It is a comfort to see it. And the sun is out too and is lighting up the bright red geraniums and the daisies and the whole valley underneath me, and all is well.
I am particularly drawn to light when I see the sun backlighting leaves, or sparkling on water. I’ve been this way since I was very young.
I feel the light when one of the Buddhist teachers I admire frames into words something that I’ve known within but could not describe. You have that gift with me and recently a couple of books by John Paraskevopoulos a Shin Buddhist/Pureland Priest have helped me greatly. His books affirm the light and the love of Amida surrounding us all in a way relevant to these troubled times and in language that touches me deeply.
Much love and light to you. 🙏
PS And as you asked of us I will send a photo soon. I’m terrible with selfies and Roxy my furry bodhisattva is camera shy so I’ll have to be sneaky.
Ah, thanks Kim. I love the links between light & nature, and light & Buddhism. I LOVE John's books as you know - so lyrical - Call of the Infinite is so beautiful. Love & light to you too & I look forward to the selfie but only if Roxy agrees : )
I'm a recovering alcoholic. 5 years into my sobriety journey. The light kept me from harm in dark days, and accompanies me in kinder days. I see the light in every story in my home group. These days I see it everywhere, especially when I'm appreciating small things. Like my peaceful house and my cat at the end of my comfy bed. And the small miracles, like when seeds germinate down my allotment, or my adult children see the light in their lives.
I was also reminded that I saw Leonard Cohen 4 years ago in Moseley at a festival via facebook, today and then wondered here, more light perhaps?
Hurray for sobriety! When I was going to 12 steps I had the same experience - the light streams out of people in there. And ooh how amazing that you saw him. What a man. Sending love!
I am a planner - part of my being committed to efficiency - to make the most of our limited time. But I've been noticing more and more how my planning - which starts when I first wake up and think about the order in which I should do the morning tasks (after meditation which thankfully comes first.) Anyway, both days of this weekend I have reminded myself to let the day unfold. To experience the moments as they come and not be so busy thinking about what comes next. And it has really brought lots more light to my life. I've been able to enjoy what I am doing, and really listen to the people around me. It's been nice. I feel a bit guilty as I face the week with some things not done - and I see the beauty of the setting sun right now and can revel in it. Truly a glimpse of the light.
Love this. Thanks for sharing Elaine.
I've been doing a certificate in counseling skills and this week we read each others self-assessment essays - more than glimpses of light, floods of it. What an honour to be invited to do that and beautiful how different each is
How beautifully described Debbie. Thank you.
This line has been with me so often!
I remember being part of a 9 month long dharma journey with Dharma Ocean, focus on somatic practices, focusing heart practices, allowing trauma to arise, exploring “behind” blocked areas…and in the guided meditation, this is the quote that was used…and has been with me every since.
I have faced many dark times since. When I revisit the past, moments of fear when I am surrounded by darkness, fear of the future.
And I come back to this quote.
There is always a crack.
Here at the sea, there is so much light, even at night, the waves up even the slightest bit of starlight, moon peaking out from clouds.
The light of dawn approaching, pierces my nightmares, whispering, the turtles are waiting.
My husband’s depression or cancer, my anxiety over my health, is my daughter and her family, especially my grandies, are they safe? will the rockets land in any of my lived ones? on anyone? are the beings that are treasures of this earth, are they suffering?
A bit if reaction, light isn’t “underneath”, it is in each strand if darkness, woven into each thread, we just have to pause our business, life our heads to this moment, and let ourselves see it. The light is everywhere. Especially in the faces, the eyes of my grandies.
Yes, beautifully put Ellen. It is indeed woven into everything. I love hearing about your grandies! Thanks for being here.
I catch glimpses of light when I am, or someone I'm supporting is, struggling with something painful, and then manages to see the silver lining in the cloud, or the gold that can be mined. I had an example recently when someone was telling me something "weak" about himself, and I commented that he is still standing, and doing his work, not least by taking time with me. This was a revelation. To quote Rumi, every tricky experience "has been sent as a guide from beyond".
How interesting John that the light is even more visible to you when there is struggle, or when others are struggling, and they manage to see their own light - something about how that brings hope, or provides an example... love that Rumi quote. And I also hate it sometimes, when I'm struggling with one of my 'guides from beyond'! Good to have you here.
At the heart of Mindful Self-compassion (that I practice and teach) is the belief that by naming and allowing pain and struggle we can find the gift from the guide. If we resist it becomes suffering, if we allow it can become transforming. The practice, and this is where it's so close to your IFS material, is to remember that there are no bad parts to hate; that can be really tricky when it's all piling in, and yet there's light in there somewhere. I'd be happy to expand further if you'd welcome that. It might encourage me to publish something on Substack for myself!! :)
I'd love to read a piece about that John - let me know if you publish it!
One of my favorite activities is hiking through the Open Spaces (undeveloped woodlands) in a small city on the central coast of Oregon (U.S.A.). I always take my camera with me to document the things I find of interest as I hike. I find the best things to photograph when I look carefully at spots of sunshine that make their way through the mostly-coniferous trees. That spot of sunlight has travelled 93 million miles to highlight a spot in the woods for me to appreciate and often photograph.
Such a beautiful description of a happening / metaphor - thanks for sharing Barbara.
I see the light in nature - in the plants and animals and insects around my house, especially - and in my kids.
Yes! Children are clotted with light... Good to remember insects too.
I’ll keep the prompt in mind and I’m sure it will add magic to the day. Thanks Satya!
I'll be interested to hear how you found it : )
I catch glimpses of the light when I feed the feral cat I had neutered and am trying to tame; when I tend our chickens and experience their joy in life; when my daughter and I laugh together.
⭐
For me, glimpses of light = wonder and awe at something happening in the world today. There's no shortage!
Also: Leonard Cohen!
Yes, definitely Cohen!!
Ooh, my initial turn-on-my-phone response is one to the excellent quote from Leonard Cohen. It is the brokenness in everything I first see - in the world, in the earth, in us , in me. The flaws in my ceramics, sometimes wonky, sometimes battered, and even cracked after the fire. And my thoughts go to kintsuki, the mending with gold, and how a gentle healing is needful...
And so, back to the excellent question!
Yes, beautiful Janey. I'm wondering if you're saying something about how the cracks and the light need each other? That the cracks in your ceramics ARE the light? I'd love to see a picture of them sometime! Thanks for being here, appreciate your presence as always.
Mm, yes, something about how it is only through our brokenness that the light can be seen. And healing, mending is possible xx
And I don't know how to add a picture...
Maybe send it to me? Satya@satyarobyn.com
Is it cheating somehow to comment on my own prompt? 😉
This morning I woke with excited anxiety, knowing that this first prompt was going out and knowing how much love and effort I put into it (and those that are coming next), and wanting some affirmation from people that they like it, that they like me.
It's a feeling I know well from when my books first get published or when I have an article in a magazine I admire.
I am looking out at the temple garden in the sunlight and asking myself, where is the light? And I just caught a glimpse of it - baked into the MAKING of this prompt, not the resulting piece, and not the affirmation that comes (or doesn't).
The light is already there. It is a comfort to see it. And the sun is out too and is lighting up the bright red geraniums and the daisies and the whole valley underneath me, and all is well.
light baked into the making, love it!
A Warm hello from California. OK here goes.
I am particularly drawn to light when I see the sun backlighting leaves, or sparkling on water. I’ve been this way since I was very young.
I feel the light when one of the Buddhist teachers I admire frames into words something that I’ve known within but could not describe. You have that gift with me and recently a couple of books by John Paraskevopoulos a Shin Buddhist/Pureland Priest have helped me greatly. His books affirm the light and the love of Amida surrounding us all in a way relevant to these troubled times and in language that touches me deeply.
Much love and light to you. 🙏
PS And as you asked of us I will send a photo soon. I’m terrible with selfies and Roxy my furry bodhisattva is camera shy so I’ll have to be sneaky.
Ah, thanks Kim. I love the links between light & nature, and light & Buddhism. I LOVE John's books as you know - so lyrical - Call of the Infinite is so beautiful. Love & light to you too & I look forward to the selfie but only if Roxy agrees : )