What's the kindest thing you can do?
This was my biggest takeaway after listening to episode 3 of Michael Singer's podcast this morning. I shared the idea with my rehab group today and was pleasantly surprised to have it met with lots of head nods and "Mmm"s of agreement. The grasshopper becomes the master, eventually. In any situation or conversation, pause and ask yourself this question. Kindness doesn’t always mean agreeing or giving in, but it does mean considering the impact of your words and actions on others and on yourself. The Buddhist practice of Metta, or loving-kindness, encourages us to act with compassion and empathy for all, including ourselves. In considering the well-being of others and the impact of this consideration on our own karma, this simple question can guide us towards more compassionate and thoughtful interactions.
Our ancestors don't want us to hold on to their suffering.
The challenges our ancestors faced are part of our history, but we don't have to carry their burdens into our future. I like to think that our forebears endured with the intention of Tawakkul for us their descendants. In Sufism, the practice of Tawakkul, or trusting in God, teaches us to surrender our struggles and trust that the Divine will guide us to healing and growth. Something tells me that those who came before us never wanted us to hold on, but to be free enough to let go. Perhaps the best way we can honor our ancestors is not by recycling their trauma, but by embracing the peace and healing they longed for and worked towards.
There are micro lessons in everything.
Life is filled with tiny lessons, often hidden in the simplest of moments. Inspired by a recent discussion with a client, we considered how every experience, interaction, and thing contains micro lessons—subtle insights within larger lessons, and also within seemingly ordinary details, like the particular way this leaf grows, the way that lamp seems to flicker every so slightly, or the way the breeze pauses and begins again without any effort. This idea of micro lessons reminds me of the Hindu concept of Lila, or divine play, which suggests that every detail, no matter how small, carries meaning and purpose. It’s not about reaching for interpretation but about noticing with delight the depth of what's already present if we open up just enough to see it.
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1 Mantra:
I find wisdom in every detail and compassion in every action.
1 Journal/Pondering Prompt:
In this moment, what is the kindest action you can take? Reflect on how you can incorporate kindness into your current situation or conversation.
1 Art Prompt:
Create a piece of art using found objects that represent the idea of finding meaning in small, everyday moments. Look for tiny, seemingly insignificant items—like a fallen leaf, a button, or a piece of string—and arrange them into a composition that reflects the beauty and wisdom hidden in the mundane.
1 Song:
1 Book:
The Art of Communicating - Thich Nhat Hanh
- As always, with love and thanks,
BROOKIE
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