~Playful Heart Collective~ 

New post on the Playful Heart adventures...

~All in a Day's Work~ 

The work of a true bodhisattva is unpredictable at best.  Enjoy!

~The Deepening~ 

Though my original vision of a playful, cross-country ramble has found its intended closure, I find my ramblings continuing on.

Since returning to Pennsylvania, I have embarked on another journey of celebration and service, this time taking me through Massachusetts and New York.  As before, I find myself staying with different heart-friends along the way.

Two of the main purposes of this journey were to drop my sister off at the one-month silent retreat at Insight Meditation Society last week, and to see my doctor about my knee injury and rehabilitation.  Both of these purposes have been fulfilled, and I now find myself floating from home to home, offering myself into the need as it reveals itself.

Surrender and Service: these two were the central themes that emerged during my travels, and these continue to be my guiding principles.  Surrendering to the moment, as it is unfolding and expressing itself, and aligning with a deep commitment to serve that moment, however the need be.

So I find myself spending Halloween weekend in dear Northampton, among the lovely freaky people that daily rock this town.  Halloween supper tonight at Sirius among family, seeing Alex play at the NightKitchen tomorrow night, and then it's off to Hawthorne Valley Farm to offer some work-play with the kids there.

Is such a lifestyle considered a career?  I'm not sure what it is, except that it's more and more aligned with my intuitive wisdom, and seems to be gaining a momentum that is totally beyond me.

And as it gains momentum, the truth emerges that I am not in control of this...it is a journey without a journeyer.  5-year plan?  I don't even have a 5-week plan.  Actually, I recently switched to an eternal life plan...it's free, and it gives great benefits ;)

Love to you, whoever, where ever, and however you are.

Eka

~Beautiful~ 

So my friend from IMS, Hanuman, is putting together a music compilation, called Dhamma-Gita (Song of Truth).  It is meant to include works from young Buddhist practitioners.  The songs do not have to be overtly Buddhist, or even spiritual, but really coming from that place of deep inspiration and exploration.

So I reworked one of my favorite songs, and sent it in.  Don't know yet if I made the grade, but we'll see.  It was wonderful working on the song.  I used very simple hardware and software: a Zoom Handy recorder and Audacity audio editor.  Combine that with a quiet, inspiring environment, and this is what you get~

~Beautiful~

In gratitude,

OneLight

~Art as Awakening~

Today for you a lovely piece by Ann Dennison, who creates all kinds of intriguing mandalas posted on her website.  This one is entitled 'Cross Mandala', and when I saw it, I was immediately taken by the colors and shape.

As I gazed at it, an image arose of four golden robed beings, co-creating in the center an offering of concentrated light, each being encased by an energetic envelope.  I wonder what you will see?  Enjoy!

 

In co-creation,

Eka

~Movement of Spirit~ 

Another short yet powerful quote from Dr. Howard Thurman. 

The movement of the spirit of God in the hearts of [humans] often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making.  In a moment of dedication, they are given wisdom and courage to dare a deed that challenges and to kindle a hope that inspires. 

Amen, Reverend.

~Coming Alive~ 

My inspiration for writing today comes from the subtle and deep words of Reverend Howard Thurman.  Dr. Thurman's career was distinguished by many honors, and he served as Dr. King's spiritual adviser.

He said: 

Don't ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.

Because what the world needs
is people who have come alive.

When I heard this quote, a strong resonance activated in me.  Feeling this resonance, I went into it, asking why I responded so strongly.  And this exploration brought a realization to the surface.  In this one pithy statement, Thurman is bringing to light the difference between the intellect-ego-mind organ and the deep heart-intuition-god guidance.

So often we have such good intentions, such a sense of wanting to do good that sits underneath our decisions and actions.  Yet, because we know no other outlet, we channel all this solely through the rational organ, the mental intellect.  Though such action can seem very productive, very busy, it doesn't touch the core of the issue at hand.  It remains heady, myopic, dualistic, hollow, and most importantly, it's source quickly fatigues.

Instead, we need to 'come alive'...we need to take a deep, honest, and fearless look into ourselves to find out what we are living for.  Are we living for another's ideals or feelings or desires, grafted on to us through indoctrination and conditioning of one sort or another?  Such an orientation to one's life simply cannot be sustained and does no one no good.  On the other hand, to touch into the soul, that deep well in us of mystery and life, will bring forth a spring and often times a geyser of incredible inspiration, power, tenderness, focus, and reality.

And this is what the world needs...

not disconnected people offering disconnected solutions for a disconnected world...

but beings that have come alive through self-inquiry and self-love, responding and offering in the fullness of their joy.

In my limited experience, this is the only real action that creates personal and collective (r)evolution.  And folks, that's exactly what we need right now.  I am putting it to myself to do the best I can in this.  And I am cheering for you too, holding a deep hope and vision that you find your aliveness and spread it far and wide.

Journey well my friend.

~

A few links to more information about Dr. Thurman:

Wiki

Annotation

PBS

~This That Is~

Held in the goodness of family, friends, and strangers alike, for near two months I traveled.  There was music, there was laughter, there was confusion, there was beauty, there were pains, there was surprise and wonder, there was struggle, and there was trust.  All things human, moving and dancing, always bringing insight and unfolding to the eyes ready to see.

And so often I found myself.  So often I found god and spirit and mystery staring back at me, through the whispering ways of all things.  there is nothing in this world we can truly understand, and yet there is nothing estranged.  All is intimate and inclusive, yet without a center.  So full and so empty.  Ahh, my mind breaks, shatters, and falls to pieces upon entering the mystery.

So now I gaze through my window and see a cold and cloudy day, gold-bronze farm fields, lush wet grass, and trees with leaves of red, green, and gold.  Only days before I looked out upon the sun-burned chaparral, eucalyptus groves, and citrus trees.  All has changed, yet All is the same.  Here and Now, alive, aware, radiant.  Beyond understanding yet known completely. 

If only we could for one moment fully release into This That Is, we would arrive at complete peace and yet total amazement and wonder...always fresh and new, tender, yet ancient and immutable.

May we all come to see, quickly and easily, this reality, this mystery without and within, and finally begin to truly live.

EkaJoti

~See, Be, Create, Nourish~

What do I wish to see, be, create, and nourish in this world we share?

~Conscious, deliberate community with others seeking to know and embody truth: sat-sangha.

~Spaces and methods of play, exploration, wonder, and discovery for all ages.

~Sincere and sensitive music and movement, as yoga, as prayer, as play, as release.

~Kind speech and compassionate listening among all beings.

~Altruistic offerings of healing and guidance/selfless service.

~Awakened Earth Stewardship: wise homesteading/soul permaculture/dharmafarming.

~Kind and skillful embodiment; caring for this wondrous physical vehicle.

~Silence of ego-mind, radiance of soul-heart.

~Deep Kalyana Mitta: a loving partner with whom to walk this mysterious wonder.

Aho!

~Turning Japanese~

My final day in San Fran was an Asian extravaganza.  Starting off with the incredible Asian Arts Museum, then heading over to Japantown for manga, incense, and tea, finally ending off at Cha Ya, an incredible vegetarian sushi place.  A lovely day all in all.

Here is a selection of photos from the museum.  Enjoy!

~Bay Area Adventures~ 

Following Burning Man, I caught a ride over to San Francisco, to spend a few weeks with friends and sit a retreat before heading down to San Diego, my final destination.

First stop was reuniting with my dear friend Kieran.  It had been 2 years since our last sharing.  It was an overdue meeting of two good friends, and the hacky sack that soon ensued was the stuff of legends.  He also taught me a new tai chi form, which is lovely and healing.

Over the next few weeks, I was able to see and do so much, and see several friends that I had known on the east coast.  So blessed!

And just a few days before my plans to go up to Spirit Rock for a meditation retreat, I seriously injured my right knee.  And so, I was not able to do the retreat (I had signed up to do work-exchange to cover the cost), and yet, it worked out so beautifully that I got to do my own sort of retreat up at Spirit Rock, getting to know the land and air and staff and teachers.  And I was blessed with some clarities concerning some life situations and my deep vocation.  And, to top this, I got to spend much time with an old friend from my travels in India.  Gratitude!

Oh what else?  Muir Woods, Baker Beach, Asian Arts Museum, Adyashanti Satsang, backyard barbecues, farmers' markets, people watching, cafes, cookies, music, open-mics, tea, love...

Here is a smattering of photos from my time all over SF.  Enjoy!