Greetings Beloved Community and to the Gregorian Calendar Year of 2022, 

 

I would like to start by asking you to take time and reflect on these two questions. The invitation is to simply be with this moment. 

What is the biggest question for you to explore this year? A question that is tucked away in the depth of your heart.

Pause-Breathe-in- Close your eyes - Breathe- out…

How have the  last couple  years moved you during these times of great loss, uncertainty, disillusion, and anguish?

Pause-Breathe-in- Close your eyes - Breathe- out…

Here we are moving into the end of the pandemic’s second year. Many have crossed-over becoming our newest ancestors and “great teachers of detachment and letting-go. They have demonstrated the ultimate expression of trust by letting-go of their physical form and entering the unknown.” The late Dr. Angeles Arrien, Ph.D. stated, the ancestors can be called on to help us in transition, especially where we encounter unfamiliar experiences, situations or circumstances. They can also help us break harmful family and cultural patterns so that we can be more fully in our own lives and realize our purpose. 

In times of great transitions, the shifts can come with increased fear, doubt, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, or discontent with what is unfolding in our current situation or the state of the world for that matter. It sparks a deep questioning or inquiry of what we are witnessing in the world around us and where we stand or what we stand by. The threshold of the mystery is upon us. And, how we engage this time with what matters is all that matters. Shall we move towards life and each other especially in times of tension and divisiveness? It is said that these phases of transition often start with a state of denial and resistance. The impact of such a state is unwelcoming to change and the natural course of Nature. Coming to terms with change begins with honoring closure of our over-identification with old patterns and behaviors that no longer serve us or mirrors who we are. We are haunted by the past that continues to leak out to our present life and influences a future built on the mask of who we think we are. Once we drop the mask and inquire into what has heart and meaning, purpose arises and we can begin to envision a future grounded in the present.

In the February 2021 newsletter, I quoted the novelist and activist Arundhati Roy who said, “The pandemic is a portal.” If we were brave to walk through the portal – letting go of denial and resistance – we begin the long journey home supported by our beloved teacher Nature. We are not so easily taken off our path by false prophets or algorithms. We developed a practice of tracking and staying vigilant to the changes of each day, recognizing the birth, death, and rebirth of the new and a keen sense of what is emerging. Through the guidance of Nature, we practice deep listening and cultivate more silence, giving birth to our connection to the cycle of life and expanding our consciousness. We widen our relationship to include the wonders of this beautiful life on Mother Earth. We deepen our practice to include spending time in nature, meditating among the trees, cultivating natural awareness with all that is being experienced moment to moment. This allows us to open to the possibility of a luminous mind – radiant, spacious, and fully aware of inherent connection to life itself. 

Deepening our contemplative practices and connection with Mother Earth prepares us to navigate these pressing times with more awareness and attention. Thanissara calls upon us to rise up in this state of Code Red (see United Nation’s IPCC Climate Report) and given this urgent call to action, I ask all of us to recognize clearly – we have entered a collective initiation. As my dear friend Konda Mason stated to us recently in her teaching with Braided Wisdom, “As things are breaking down, so much is being lifted up.” Let’s start with lifting the veil of denial and meet each day with an unshakeable practice of “no going back to sleep”– embodying fierce authenticity, love, care, and openness to a world of uncertainty grounded in a practice of integrating the external and internal effortless breaking free of the disillusionment of our world today. We invite you to join us at Braided Wisdom to, as my dear friend and teacher Larry Yang urges, “awaken together”.

 

Message from our Development & Community Engagement Director, Danielle Duong

Greetings, Beautiful Community! 

 

During this unprecedented time of change in the world, Braided Wisdom was able to successfully launch five of our core programs which served over 500 individuals with global participation across seven time zones. At the end of 2021, we wrapped up a beautiful year with participants of the Original Medicine Year-Long Program. A few shared the program helped bring them into deeper intimacy with nature and greater compassion with themselves. As 2022 begins, our committed leadership trainees are entering the final stretch of their 14-month leadership journey which will end with a graduation and celebration in March. More details to come! We’d like to take this moment to express deep gratitude to our community partners, funders, donors, and program participants for your presence, support, and generosity. This year could not have happened without your love, trust, and contributions! 

 

Message from our Mindfulness Teacher, Imee Contreras, CMT-P

 

The Role of Community in our Spiritual Practice

 

These times require us to maintain a joyful, mindful practice of spirit to help ground us whenever we feel off-center. But apart from the practice itself, the extra inspiration and support of a loving and virtuous community will certainly go a long way in helping us move forward on the path.

 

 

The community is where we can apply, where we can live, our spiritual philosophies, concepts, and ideas. It’s where we can practice and check if we’re able to effectively apply what we are learning. Oftentimes, translating ideas into action is a difficult thing.

We learn so much not just from texts, sermons or lessons, but also from our friends and members of the community. Listening to them, asking questions, interacting with them, and sharing experiences are activities that lead to greater knowledge and inspiration. The community works to inspire us on the spiritual path.

The aspects of spiritual tradition that may not be communicated well in writing can be shared during community practice. For example, interactions among community members, rituals, the dynamics of the student-teacher relationship, and many more.

When there is a community, support is available—especially when we need it most. During challenging or confusing times, the presence of a spiritual friend can often make a big difference. Having wise, positive people on our side is very encouraging, indeed. It helps us push forward and inspires us to go for our spiritual goals. Even Thich Nhat Hanh had said that it is much easier to practice with a Sangha than to practice alone.

It also goes the other way: belonging to a community is a valuable contribution on our part. It’s an important opportunity to offer inspiration and energy to others. It is so wonderful to share one’s time and energy to make the community, our spiritual family, grow stronger.