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There's a part of me that does not want this to be so. As I read Pema's words, I sense they are true, but my first thought is that I wish they weren't. There is something about resistance to breaking through the illusion of permanence. The desire that somehow and somewhere there is permanence.......something to hold on to. Ground that stays ground and is a safe landing place that can be relied on. So.......it's that part of me that needs the tenderness, comapssion and the courage to face 'what is' and accept that I don't know what is coming, what is perceived as good, bad, middle ground or where it is all heading. It's a young and tender part. So I listen, stay and accept that this resistent, young part is there and also know there is another part of me that is willing to accept what is and open my heart and mind to what is possible.......thankfully, I love them both.

Love this and especially loved the explanations of hope, optimism, skepticism and cynicism. Thank you! The idea of hope as a practical response resonates. It's not saying anything is 'for sure' but rather there is a possibility for positive change. I can get behind that.......I'm reminded of the difference between healthy trust which carries healthy skepticism and blind trust, which does not . I appreciate this!

Thank you Susan for this thought provoking piece.....I wonder where it is that we decide to trust? Trust our inner guidance, others and the mystery of life itself. It seems that in that place of trust depth, freewill surrenders to a greater will......and 'not knowing' becomes bearable. I'm wondering if the release of freewill anchors trust and enables a greater manifestation of one's courage, strength and creativity?

This story brought tears to my eyes. So much good in our world. I love the way in this story the man's dignity was preserved.....what a wise father, to understand that need as being as important as the need for the money for the tickets. I sense not only was the man able to take his family to the circus but also felt a deep sense of belonging and loving care. True service from the heart.......

I just recently took a course on humming. Humming helps to regulate our nervous system and tones our vagus nerve......the nerve that wanders throughout our body and leads from the brainstem to the abdomen. It regulates heart rate, digestion, inflammation and even our mood so it's important for overall well being. Humming actually stimulates the vagus nerve and helps our body 'rest and digest'. It's the vibration of humming that travels through the body and reduces stress and brings a sense of calm. I love the idea that mother earth is humming........a love so great that even in the midst of all the harm that is happening, she reaches out to comfort and calm us. That truly is love beyond measure.....

I believe that as we do our individual healing work, we help to heal our ancestors. So any work that we do that allows us to release the past, heal wounds, calm and bring peace to trauma's and or forgive ourselves or others, brings great benefit not only to ourselves but to the many many in our generational line. And then loving ripples extend out from ourselves and the many othes and that brings benefit to animals, plants, minerals and our world. So I see this work of re-owning past transgressions and allowing healing and peace for those before us that suffered as well as our own suffering to be work of great value, great love, great compasssion and endless benefit.

I have a 4 year old granddaughter and it is true.....she laughs all the time :) and I notice I laugh just being with her much more than I normally do. All sorts of things delight her......new found bugs, crayons, snacks, coconut water. Life is filled with new adventures and new things each day. Through her eyes, I see them as 'new' as well. I notice after being with this little one, the whole day is much lighter and more joyful.

Such a beautiful acknowledgment of the part of us that cannot ever be damaged....thank you!

I can so relate to this piece! Much to my surprise........marriage did not work, body had health struggles, financial security was secure was at risk, single at this time in life.......so beautifull written that 'you let yourself be shattered and return to the village humbled and no longer identifying with the part of yourself that needs to win, be recognized or needs to know"....."walk away and let the vastness embrace you".........I work at embracing this hard fought for understanding and live in it's practice.......Thank you!

Thank you Zack! I was fascinated to read that the birds base their movements and behaviors on the 7 neighboring birds around them. Wow.......and I appreciated then ' it is the impact we have on our direct communities that creates a humanitarian murmuration for change—for stability, for survival.' Feel like I can take a deep breath knowing that I can manage this. And if I pay attention to my direct community, it impacts stability and survival. Amazing.....

I so appreciate the monk's suggestion to Joanna and her willingness to sit with the question and then receive an answer. Both is service to life....... Vows, commitments, intentions are such powerful ways to channel energy, esp. when witnessed by others. Thank you Joanna for this tender piece.

Oh my goodness. What a beautiful piece! Thank you Vanessa for this. I have loved rocks all my life and found sitting on them, being with them, holding them and just looking at them to be both a delight and a comforting presence. And yes, I believe that wisdom is relational and that it thrives in the 'not knowing', spacious places. I often find myself listening........ And I've often wondered what am I listening to or for? I've had no answers, I just felt a need to listen to be with them all. What helps me cultivate this is a feeling of connection when I do listen and a desire to lean in more fully. It's self-reinforcing. After reading this I now recognize more consciously that I am participating 'in the symphony of existence' . How amazing is that? Thank you!

Simple pleasures awaken a deep sense of gratitude for me......here are a few that come to mind.... seeing my grandchildren's faces, feeling my hand resting on my older dog's side body as she sleeps next to me, hearing the fountain in my backyard, watching birds, drinking a green iced tea, hearing my sisters and good friends voices when they call, sitting in meditation with others, walking freely with arms swinging and being pain free, holding a pen in my hand as I write in my journal........what has helped me cultivate a habit of pausing? the practice of mindfulness, aging, loss of loved ones and nature.

Nice article......gives me something to think about especially as so many things are changing in our world. I noticed this sentence...'And if we aren’t careful, we’ll soon mistake performance for presence.' I wondered is that really possible? My sense is that presence, true presence, can't be mistaken.

Love this..... Thank you for sharing Pope Francis's words. It's so true that humor makes all the difference.

Love the story and the reminder of how our perceived weaknesses can be our greatest strengths. Beautiful!

Thank you David so much for this piece. So beautifully written. I love how you clearly distinquish between the ego voice and inner voice. That work and discovery has been my life learning and experience. I would say my life work has been healing by learning to listen to my inner wisdom and then......act on it. Trauma, fear and worry were part of my early life and it created a wide gap between my ego and inner wisdom that I tried to satisfy for many years by looking outside of myself. There have been many times when I knew something in my heart of hearts but lacked the courage to act on it. As I grew older, had more life experiences and deepened practices that opened and filled my heart, I found the strength to not only tune in and listen but then to take right action. Doing that helped me build confidence and deepened my trust in my Self/inner wisdom/ Spirit/ Source/ Mystery and it made all the difference. What helps me walk this path of sincerity is having a clear intention of what it is that I want and a daily practice that nourishes my soul.....the practice shifted and changed over the years, but the constant was and is the intention to connect, align and follow and embody the wisdom of my heart and soul. I truly believe that trust is needed more than ever at this time, and that in order for us to trust each other, we must trust ourselves/ our inner wisdom first and foremost above all other voices inside or out. And we need to trust it enough to act on it. There is something much greater than us that we can lean into for guidance, wisdom and support. I believe that the relationship we have with our inner wisdom is vital, especially during these time of great change. Doing this will not only allow us to put our energy into problem solving and creative solutions it will bring us, personally, the calm amidst the storm and remind us that we are not alone. Peace and blessings.....

Such a great story..... :) I laughed at the ending.....Thank you for sharing! This brings to mind the many times when caught in fear and struggling to find grounding and balance, I would say to myself, 'all is ok. I am safe. I am at peace'.....and yet my body would continue to be stressed and my mind fearful and anxious. Although now during these uncertain and challenging times, I may still become overwhelmed, as I have practiced and aged I have learned the deeper truth of inner safety and inner security. I find that now when caught in upset and I remember these words, a feeling of peace and calmness arises. I also 'see' calm waters or a deeply rooted tree and feel settled and grounded. The intellectual knowing has become a deeper understanding that the fear may always be there but so too is the peace.

Thank you Clarissa for these inspiring words. I have read them many times and once again, as I read them this morning, my heart is filled with gratitude, love and determination as I read 'Soul on deck shines like gold in dark times'.....🙏❤️

Thank you stream...🙏❤️