Hello Friends,Wherever you are, I hope you are enjoying at least the first hint of the change in seasons. Here, where I live in Colorado, we had a shift in weather during a storm, and all of a sudden the temperature has dropped. It feels like fall and the leaves are just starting to turn. I want to introduce you to my new friend, Finn. He came into my life mid-May and we are getting to know each other. He feels good in his new open pasture and loves to roughhouse and run with the herd. He’s young and making new discoveries all the time. When he first arrived, he was afraid of the stream that runs through the stables. Slowly, we began to approach the water with curiosity, and we got closer and closer. A few days ago, I got on his back with the aspiration to guide him across. I gave him a lot of time and space to think about the crossing and to process the challenge. I could see, by his focus, his commitment to take on the task. After ten minutes of spaciousness, he stepped close enough to touch his nose to the water and drink from the stream. Then he took another step into the muddy bank and saw it held his weight. Then he stepped into the middle of the stream and found he enjoyed it. Afterwards, he felt so much confidence and no fear around the stream at all, which made him relax completely in his new environment. I was touched by Finn’s openness and thoughtfulness that contributed to his inner growth and maturation as a horse. I don’t think his process would differ much from our own, in terms of going deeper into our dharma path and life. This is just a simple story that illustrates the power and intelligence of open-questioning. Please join us this Saturday, September 13 for OQ Live Conversation with Fleet Maull! Fleet is an experienced Buddhist practitioner and the founder of the Prison Mindfulness Institute and National Prison Hospice Association. Fleet is the author of two books, Dharma in Hell and Radical Responsibility. His insights and life experience will enhance our ongoing inquiry into the topic of bodhicitta, the practice of bearing witness and the meaning of “radical responsibility.” You are also warmly invited to our Open Question Live Conversation Saturday, October 4 with Karl Brunnholzl. Karl is a scholar, teacher and translator who has authored over twenty books, including the Heart Attack Sutra, and Nagarjuna’s, In Praise of Dharmadhatu. Karl was appointed by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche as one of five senior Western teachers for the Nalandabodhi sangha. In 2019, he was awarded the Khyentse Foundation Prize For Outstanding Translation for his groundbreaking, three-volume publication of Asaṅga’s work. Love,
Elizabeth
|
