The practice: love
“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
Daily Reflection: What would love have you do today? What actions could you take from the heart? How do you feel when you act in alignment with your heart rather than from fear? How does it feel when you hold someone in your heart? And how does it feel keeping someone out of your heart, holding them at arm’s length, blaming, justifying or defending? Notice the difference in feeling tones in your body when include rather than exclude. Can you feel the resources and energy required in excluding rather than including? And as always, noticing how the quality of your attention affect the quality of your being.
“You are where you are today because you stand on somebody’s shoulders. And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. If you stand on the shoulders of others, you have a reciprocal responsibility to live your life so that others may stand on your shoulders. It’s the quid pro quo of life. We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give." Vernon Jordan
Meditation Challenge: One of my favorite reflective meditations is remembering all the beings who have loved you into being here now. All those who have loved you, taught you, cared for you, and inspired you into this very moment. And including those too who have challenged you, helping you find a different way. Remembering all those who have brought meaning into your life, paving the way, making your existence freer and fuller, helping you remember what’s important. Remembering those who have made a difference in your life through acts of kindness and care: gifted you a favorite book, poem or quote that inspired you, exposed you to a meaningful teacher or practice that encouraged you along. Just sit and patiently see who shows up as you reflect on all the beings who have loved you into being.
“The grateful person senses that much goodness happens independently of his actions or in spite of himself. Gratitude implies humility- a recognition that we could not be who we are or where we are in life without the contributions of others. How many family members, friends, strangers and all those who have come before us Have made our daily lives easier and our existence freer, more comfortable, and even possible? It is mind boggling to consider this.” Robert Emmons