Dear Friends,
Take a breath…. Inhale and uplift your posture, as you exhale think of something that makes you smile and expand your personal space – imagine lights in your fingertips.
As events keep unfolding in this unprecedented time, I have been continuing to explore power and look at my own fears and shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses. Each day I renew my commitment to cultivate courage and compassion and each day I distract myself with the news, to-do’s and emails. I am a work in progress.
I find I have an urge to be effective and create a stable environment, then I remember the fact that everything changes – nothing is permanent, and this awareness lets me relax and for a moment I feel empowered to be with things as they are.
The Dragons and Power book offers a look at benevolent power and malevolent power. We carry both inside of us and it seems our personal development is the process of becoming awake to these tendencies and having enough courage to accept that we are responsible for our thoughts. It is important because we are shaped by our thoughts – our thoughts become actions. To really examine our thinking, we need to work with ourselves in a way that is kind and not heavy handed.
As Trungpa Rinpoche said, “We have to be so genuine and gentle…. You have a tremendous responsibility: the first is to yourself, to become gentle and genuine; the second is to work for others in the same way. It is very important to realize how powerful all of us are.”
We have opportunities every day to notice when we are being overly judgmental or distracting ourselves with plans and fantasies. We can take a breath, uplift our posture and invite a little more compassion and courage. The Centering practice gives us a way to shift to our more compassionate, creative and generous selves. It opens a door to a moment of gratitude and appreciation. Of course, it doesn’t last as to-do’s and concerns intrude – and we can keep dipping into Center.
We can inhale and lengthen our spine, exhale soften our chest and think of something that makes us smile, pay attention to the space and just be for a few seconds.
Until there is a change and we can return to in-person workshops and retreats our online programs are a way to keep connected. The once a month Leadership Embodiment online class continues to be a place where we can connect with friends and associates around the globe. I hope you will join a class to be supported by and stay connected to the community and the practices.
Let’s remember to keep our Noble, Awesome and Shiny spirits vibrant and radiant.
May you experience blessings and abundance,
Wendy and Tiphani
