Death, as natural a part of life as birth, is always a shock when it comes to friends and family members. But it is also when it happens close to home that we pay attention, that our hearts are inevitably pried open, and questions flood our minds. Questions that could never be answered, that have no answers. Nevertheless, it is the questioning and the enquiry that follows that has the potential to change the course of our lives forever. I feel infinitely blessed to have been given such an opportunity, and I bow to those people who have been a part of this gift that death has brought to us.
Recently in Friends | 友達 Category
This year brings a very busy summer for Gocoo, who's been performing in various locations in Japan on a rather tight schedule. Perhaps this is no coincidence since Gocoo was selected as one of the 100 most respected Japanese people in the world by Newsweek Japan, in their July 8, 2009 issue.
Below are some photos taken during their performances at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine during the Bonbori Festival and at the Yuigahama beach in Kamakura. (Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.)
Below are some photos taken during their performances at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine during the Bonbori Festival and at the Yuigahama beach in Kamakura. (Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures.)
The London Gourmet Buddies -- a commitment towards a deeper, richer, fuller spiritual life and a passion for good food. Although not all of us are students of Buddhist Psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute, it feels as if we've all been through this journey together. Lama Lobsang, who is always there to offer support, whether it's Dharma talk or a welcome at the airport; Teddy, who is always treating us to scrumptious food and offering us a place to get together at his restaurants; Atsue, a steady presence and inspiration, reminding us that with intention, all is possible.
A precious three-year journey and companionship, a jewel to treasure.
Lama Lobsang, Teddy, Atsue, Mari, Heather and Robyn Michele at Teddy's Malaysian restaurant, the Rasa Sayang, in London
Lama Lobsang and me
A precious three-year journey and companionship, a jewel to treasure.
Lama Lobsang, Teddy, Atsue, Mari, Heather and Robyn Michele at Teddy's Malaysian restaurant, the Rasa Sayang, in London
Lama Lobsang and me
This past week was spent at the Karuna Institute with 14 other people who have been on a life journey with me for almost two years. Many unforgettable moments together, many more precious learnings. Synchronicity and serendipity, or perhaps karma, brought us together and in that space we had the opportunity, support and holding to visit places of vulnerability and divinity within ourselves that wouldn't have been possible without an unbudging commitment to authenticity and connection.
My deepest appreciation to all of you -- Denise, Di, Dirk, Franklyn, Heather, Ian Rees, Ian Strang, Jen, Lama Lobsang, Maggie, Mari, Marianne, Maura, Ng Yin, Robyn Michele.
Class photo: [Back row, from left] Dirk, Ian Rees (tutor); [Middle row, from left] Mari, Di, Marianne, me, Robyn Michele, Denise, Ian Strang; [Front row, from left] Heather, Ng Yin, Franklyn Sills (tutor), Maggie, Maura Sills (tutor)
Wooden boddhisattvas that I carved to represent and give to each person, including Lama Lobsang, a Tibetan monk who is a friend, and who although is not part of the class, feels like an essential companion on this journey for me: [Back row, from left] Dirk, Ian Strang, Di, Heather, Ng Yin, Mari, Maggie; [Front row, from left] me (carved by Ogasawara Sensei), Ian Rees, Lama Lobsang, Marianne, Maura, Franklyn, Robyn Michele, Denise
My deepest appreciation to all of you -- Denise, Di, Dirk, Franklyn, Heather, Ian Rees, Ian Strang, Jen, Lama Lobsang, Maggie, Mari, Marianne, Maura, Ng Yin, Robyn Michele.
Class photo: [Back row, from left] Dirk, Ian Rees (tutor); [Middle row, from left] Mari, Di, Marianne, me, Robyn Michele, Denise, Ian Strang; [Front row, from left] Heather, Ng Yin, Franklyn Sills (tutor), Maggie, Maura Sills (tutor)Wooden boddhisattvas that I carved to represent and give to each person, including Lama Lobsang, a Tibetan monk who is a friend, and who although is not part of the class, feels like an essential companion on this journey for me: [Back row, from left] Dirk, Ian Strang, Di, Heather, Ng Yin, Mari, Maggie; [Front row, from left] me (carved by Ogasawara Sensei), Ian Rees, Lama Lobsang, Marianne, Maura, Franklyn, Robyn Michele, Denise
Finally, the blog is up, what with all its imperfections. Some missing pages, many broken links, unbalanced layout, etc. But I feel inspired to write my first blog entry. Mostly, I'm feeling a lot of appreciation for my friend, Ikeda-kun, who's not only helped me put my website together, but also patiently and quietly sat next to me for hours, listening, thinking, and teaching me. Although it seems like the fruit of our labour and his patience is the launching of the website itself, for me the website is only an immense windfall of the time spent together. What I am left with is a deep warmth in my heart.
If I stay with that feeling long enough, I see that it reaches a place where the heart is ever so lightly quivering in a familiar posture, isolated and alone. Quivering from the possibility of opening to receive such unfamiliar attention and expression of love given to me. What if this isn't real? What if it doesn't last? What if it won't be offered again? These seem to be the statements held in that energetic tension.
As I give myself time to experience this process, the quivering dissipates, softness fills my chest area and I don't feel the contours of my heart. It's as if it's blended into my chest and become one with it.
What an unexpected little journey writing this entry took me on. This is what a good therapy session feels like. I know that to be true. Thank you, Ikeda-kun. Thank you.
If I stay with that feeling long enough, I see that it reaches a place where the heart is ever so lightly quivering in a familiar posture, isolated and alone. Quivering from the possibility of opening to receive such unfamiliar attention and expression of love given to me. What if this isn't real? What if it doesn't last? What if it won't be offered again? These seem to be the statements held in that energetic tension.
As I give myself time to experience this process, the quivering dissipates, softness fills my chest area and I don't feel the contours of my heart. It's as if it's blended into my chest and become one with it.
What an unexpected little journey writing this entry took me on. This is what a good therapy session feels like. I know that to be true. Thank you, Ikeda-kun. Thank you.
