Previous Comments By 'govbria'
Advice From A Tree, by Ilan Shamir  On Sep 27, 2017 Brinda wrote:"It gives in simply being itself"---so true! Love everything you wrote....totally resonates with how I feel about trees. | |||
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Advice From A Tree, by Ilan Shamir On Sep 27, 2017 Brinda wrote:A tree is not in a hurry to grow from a sapling to a towering giant....it grows and changes at its own pace, as nature intends it to, and it accepts the changing seasons of its journey. A tree is a truly wise teacher, showing us what we need to learn by its example. | |||
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The False Duality Between "Job" And "Service", by Zilong Wang On Jul 13, 2017 brinda wrote:As so many folks commented last night, a lot of it is in the intent and attitude, and compassion/kindness that we bring to our work, in whatever form. "Serve from where you are" and "Find the nooks and crannies in the world to plant seeds"--that visual will stay with me and is very powerful. I am close to someone who has spent a lifetime as a "karma yogi" and has impacted so many people with kindness, selflessness, integrity and generosity....whether mentoring, finding just the right job for someone, creating opportunities for others to grow and flourish, leading with values and never ever thinking about the "fruits" of the labors. So this example reminds me all the time that if you "go deep", always stay true to your values, and don't worry about the "fruits", service is the natural flow..... | |||
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The False Duality Between "Job" And "Service", by Zilong Wang On Jul 13, 2017 Brinda wrote:As so many folks commented last night, a lot of it is in the intent and attitude, and compassion/kindness that we bring to our work, in whatever form. "Serve from where you are" and "Find the nooks and crannies in the world to plant seeds"--that visual will stay with me and is very powerful. I am close to someone who has spent a lifetime as a "karma yogi" and has impacted so many people with kindness, selflessness, integrity and generosity....whether mentoring, finding just the right job for someone, creating opportunities for others to grow and flourish, leading with values and never ever thinking about the "fruits" of the labors. So this example reminds me all the time that if you "go deep", always stay true to your values, and don't worry about the "fruits", service is the natural flow..... | |||
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Be Alight with Who We Are, by Mark Nepo On Jun 15, 2017 Brinda wrote:"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau I have always resonated with this quote which I think reflects the spirit of the Awakin passage. In being true to your true being, you don't need to compare or compete with others, and you can just be present with the joy of being. It also reminded me of something that Ani Choying Drolma said in last week's circle, that "I focus on what I need to be doing right now". This sense of being fully engaged and present is described in the passage as the joy the boy feels in walking home...and it is this joy which is lost when he focuses instead on outrunning the other fellow. Finally, a poem shared by a friend: (which I think speaks volumes on how to access our inner light) Clearing by Martha Postlewaite Do not try to save the whole world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently, until the song that is your life falls into your own cupped hands and you recognize and greet it. Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worth of rescue. | |||
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The Pleasure of Serving, by Gabriela Mistral On Aug 6, 2015 Brinda wrote: Compassion + presence makes our actions into service and endless opportunities to serve present themselves to us when our mindset is one that sees all our fellow beings/creatures/nature as our own family. | |||
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All We Can Do Is Share Ourselves, by Panache Desai On Aug 14, 2014 brinda wrote:Reminds me that HOW we are in the world matters. And that it shows up in every ounce of our "doing". If your "being" is full of generosity, open-heartedness, then it will manifest in whatever you "do", large or small acts are filled with that essence of you. | |||
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What Is Your Storyteller Doing?, by Mary O'Malley On Jul 24, 2014 cabbage wrote: I love the last bit about the "flavor of childhood" influencing the voice of the inner storyteller---this is something I have tried to become more aware of as I observe my reactions and the reactions of others---who might be their storyteller? | |||
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Your Life Cannot Go Wrong, by Jeff Foster On Feb 18, 2014 Cabbage wrote:This is an amazing reminder to "let go" of thinking that things in life "happen to us"---I love the idea that everything happens "for us" and that we can never lose our path because it is all part of one big journey in which we are all connected. Simply beautiful---blew me away, and at the perfect time too. :-) Once again, reinforcing my belief that "you get what you need" (like in the Rolling stones song) just when you need it. | |||
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What Do I Really Need Right Now?, by Sharon Salzberg On Aug 15, 2013 Brinda wrote: Happiness is like a butterfly. | |||
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Making Friends with the Present Moment, by Alan Zulch On Mar 6, 2012 brinda wrote:Wow. Thank you so much for sharing this quote and reflections. It makes a lot of sense to me. When I am fully in the present, I am at peace with whatever is and I am fully open to everything. Trusting that you are where you are supposed to be, doing whatever it is....with open heart and mind.....life blossoms forth. | |||
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Letter to My Grandson, by Daniel Gottlieb On Dec 5, 2011 brinda wrote:I really liked the analogy of waiting for a bus....this is so true! How we choose to wait makes a big difference. | |||
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Love without Conditions, by Paul Ferrini On Sep 29, 2011 Brinda wrote:Here are some thoughts I didn't get to share last night... Another thing about unconditional love---many of us feel this from our parents or for our children, etc. I was especially thinking of the mother-child bond which can be an example of this.... and in the spirit of letting an individual "be"--as parents we can watch our children "unfold" into who they are meant to be...instead of trying to fit them into a "mold" (I heard that expression somewhere--"unfold, don't mold"--can't remember who said it, but it stuck in my head) Also liked the part about being "unrehearsed" and spontaneous...to me this means living in the world with your heart WIDE OPEN....so that you have the spirit to BE in the moment and let the DOING follow from there.... it does mean letting go of fear, and embracing the fact that none of us can know what tomorrow (or the next moment) will bring--even if we "plan".... and I loved the Les Kaye statement about "what's wrong with what we are doing right now?" Right now is the point! :-) Hugs to you all.
Thanks--loved this quote!
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Before You Know What Kindness Really Is, by Naomi Shihab Nye On Jul 7, 2011 brinda wrote:WOW. What a powerful poem. Grateful to learn of this wonderful poet. | |||
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Neighbors Are Our Practice, by Tenzin Palmo On Apr 12, 2010 brinda wrote:These thoughts really resonated with me--how easy it is to be kind to those who show us love....how much more balance we need within in order to practice kindness towards those who push our buttons! I loved the story of the meditating mom! It may be easy to practice loving kindness and compassion to a neighbor or colleague, but our patience is tested more with those closest to us. Thank you so much for sharing this piece...very important reminder that our retreats within have an outward practice every day. | |||
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Receiving Each Day as an Invitation, by John O'Donohue On Dec 29, 2009 Brinda wrote:I am so grateful to all who share this space-- and today I would like to thank Somik in particular for sharing his insights and story. The passage drew to my mind another quote "Only that day dawns to which we are awake...the sun is but a morning star" by Thoreau. Dawn has always been rendered as a time of "awakening"---and the passage shows the beauty of awakening to each day as a unique gift. I also like thinking of the sun as a "morning star"--since we usually think of stars in the darkness.... I wish for everyone the gift of a healthy and peaceful New Year. It is in how we spend our moments that we spend our lives...... | |||
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Radiating Photons of Goodwill, by Marc Ian Barasch On Jul 22, 2009 Brinda wrote:Wow.....what a profound comment and I just love all of your reflections (esp. Pancho's poem--thanks!). It seems to me that when we can look beyond the surface of characters to see the universality in all beings we come closer to seeing everyone's "light". It is not always easy. We always know in our hearts when we are in the presence of a "compassion monger", but striving to be one is an amazing journey. | |||
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Beyond Being Present, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu On Jun 8, 2009 Brinda wrote:Wow...what an insightful piece. Being total aware of and in tune with our present moments is essential and easier said than done most of the time. I especially like the part of being aware of our intention when we are doing something.....that happened to me today in "connecting" with a homeless person. I also really like the part about the skillful and unskillful uses of remembering the past and future. Too often we bask in those thoughts rather than focusing on the present.
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The Phenomenon of Boredom, by MJ Ryan On Mar 21, 2009 cabbage wrote:Life is never boring! There is always something to feel/experience even in those moments when "nothing" is happening. I love this quote...thanks! | |||
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Honoring Complexity, Being Rooted in Simplicity, by Richard Powell On Dec 16, 2008 Brinda wrote:Wow, that is profound and very timely. I like the part about all the details being the "wrapping paper". If only we could realize the gift in each moment. | |||
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From Peace: 12 Reflections On The Path, by Peace Pilgrim On Sep 16, 2008 Brinda wrote:Thank you so much for sharing this---it came exactly at the right time. | |||
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Living With Radical Honesty, by Brad Blanton On Jul 28, 2008 Brinda wrote:WOW! What an amazing concept.... and so true that we are preoccupied with how we are perceived rather than "identifying" with our identity at a particular moment-- really revolutionary concept. | |||
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Power of Blessing, by Rachel Naomi Remen On Jan 22, 2008 brinda wrote:How beautiful and true. We perform these small blessings every day and it makes the heart glad. | |||
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Technique of the Dance, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh On Dec 6, 2007 Brinda wrote:This quote was first shared with me by a dear friend 20 years ago. It touched my heart today just as it did all those years ago. "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh is a true treasure of a book. Thank you for sharing this quote...especially this week. Somehow the right words always seem to find us at the right time. With much gratitude, Brinda | |||
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The Greatest Danger Before You, by Granny D On Nov 20, 2007 Brinda wrote:WOW! A woman after my own heart... We have to live by our own values and it is so important for our children to see that in our example. Like I tell my friends, "I can control what *I* do and what goes on in my home"...how I live my life should be determined by my values. To thine own self be true. THANK YOU for sending this quote today! It will be passed on to many. With gratitude, Brinda | |||
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The Year-To-Live Experiment, by Stephen Levine On Jun 4, 2007 Brinda wrote:Conrad, Your beloved friend's "12 step ways of behaving" are a true gift. I thank you for passing them on to us. With gratitude, Brinda | |||
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Questioning Our Questions, by Eric Vogt, Juanita Brown, David Isaacs On May 8, 2007 Brinda wrote:I totally agree---one of the things I admired most about my post-doc advisor (in the life sciences) was his ability to ask the right questions. My question: how does one learn "how" to come up with the right questions??! I also agree that this sort of thing is not emphasized enough in school! Thank you. | |||
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This I Believe, by Robert A. Heinlein On Jun 8, 2006 brinda wrote:Every act of kindness we receive inspires us to do more..... each and every day look for the opportunity! It may seem like a small thing, but I am eternally grateful to a kind man who stayed with me and my young son after I had an accident (in which I landed flat on my face and lost a tooth)...I don't have a cell phone and he gave me his phone to call my husband to come and get us, and he waited with us til he came. I was so "out of it" that I couldn't think to take down his name or address, but I will never forget his kindness and hope I can do the same for someone someday. This I believe---actions speak louder than beliefs! Please check out the 50 facts to change the world Thank you for giving us the space to share on Wednesdays. With gratitude, Brinda | |||
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