Newest Article on Elephant Journal - 8/30

Elephant Journal, August 30, 2012


Creating Space for Compassion and Closeness ~ By Tara Lemieux 

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The Space Between

These past few days I’ve spent in my bed thinking and reflecting (blankets serve a great dual purpose of shielding out the negative energy of a day and providing ample coziness to make us feel comfortable in our bigger thinking projects).

I was thinking over my sadness. For you see, in a bizarre twist of fate and wild turn of events that no one could ever predict or see, I found myself standing alone and seemingly defenseless in a sea of angry people. Not just one or two, as we sometimes experience in our day to day—rather, quite literally thousands. With this many people and that much negative energy, it seemed my email box spilled over with more hateful sentiment than I was swiftly able to delete.

Those who did not know me and had never once experienced my energy, nor came close to really knowing my heart—they all felt some push to share. Well, it suffices to say that people can be quite cruel in their general observations of the world and all of the beautiful people in it.

Since I am often wandering mindlessly along my path, in careful reflection and thinking about all the wonderful things in this world and along my way, it came as quite a shock that I had missed this “great ugliness.”

I will be honest—initially, this new understanding of the “other” side of the human heart was so completely overwhelming that it kept me hidden under my sheets until I felt it safe to come out again.

Photo via flickr.com by CassidyGrummer

If truth be told, I don’t think I stopped crying in all of those two days I spent hidden under my sheets. Even as I write this, I am still very much overwhelmed and saddened by having come this close to touching hate. I know in my heart that what I experienced is just the smallest slice of the greater whole of what exists inside the rest of this very real world.

I’m not so much saddened by what was said—these words, without context, have no greater impact on my spirit. Rather, I am most sad that this energy was shared. I have always been of the very simple opinion that it takes so little to share kindness, even less to offer compassion and less still, the ability to look to another and see that there is a heart and spirit on the other side.

I guess I have always felt—in an awfully Buddhist sort of way—that we’re all part of the same fabric, interconnected through some greater energy and unlimited by any boundaries between us. When I look to others, I truly see all the wonderful ways in which we are connected and interconnected—I see how much we truly share. Sometimes when looking to others, I see myself. But always when looking to others, I see their hearts.

I realized that the only thing that keeps us all from knowing that level of closeness is this space in between that we either fill with love or with reasons to keep us apart. In my space in between, I will always choose to have closeness. I will always choose to find compassion and the energy to be greater than any other illusions that might try to nudge their way in. But mostly, in the space in between, I shall always choose to find love.

Try as they might to change me through their opinion—I will always be true to my own spirit. You can’t dim the sun by slipping on a pair of shades—the light is always the same, however you try to change it. Just as the space between is just as we choose and will it forever to be.

I feel very sad for those who were so greatly unkind because they are the only ones keeping themselves away from truly unconditional love.

Sometimes, it’s the space we create that is keeping us from what we want and need most.

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She doesn’t necessarily know how to behave “properly” in meetings or at events that require a delicate touch, as often she finds herself with filters switched to the “off”. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered. Just like a butterfly, she is ready to spread her newly painted wings and fly to wherever the universe may carry her.

When she’s not writing, you can find her walking in the woods, humming quietly to herself, giggling with her children and sometimes changing the way we look at things, one simple moment at a time. Tara does not like scary movies, smartly dressed monkeys, flannel sheets (they stick to her pajamas), or David Copperfield. Tara is “fabulously imperfect”, in spite of the many bumps and bruises she’s collected along her way.  Sometimes she tells people she loves them far too much, but she is always sincere. As a friend, she will always be most loyal, honest, and true. If after all of this, you still wish to seek Tara out, you can find her rambling on at www.taralemieux.com.

~

Editor: Malin Bergman

Sh*t I Learned from Billy Preston

Yep, so I'm a child of the 70's - which means, my sphere of influence is chock full of very random, and often completely unrelated, but yet always color-filled experiences and images. Many most-gratefully leaving their longest lasting impressions. Being a child of the 70's is the reason I prefer spending my time wandering about outdoors, and probably the root cause of my constant state of 'barefootedness'... and, perhaps might explain my love of cheese products over the fancy foo-foo varieties I see at the market... and, upon careful reflection, might also be the basis for my most recent purchase, a vintage Rock'em, Sock'em Robots set. These are just a few of the many reason I am now, and will always be, such a hippie at heart. 

So today, in honor of my inner hippie... I pay homage today to Billy Preston.. whose music helped to fill and shape my little hippie heart. Thank you, Mr. Preston, I learned a lot of sh*t from you.

1. There is *no* such thing as a 'bad hair day'. Hair should fly free, in all directions - with the wind blasting through it. It should never be shmootzed down; tethered, tormented, and otherwise spritzed to its breaking point; it should be an expression of you, yourself, your spirit, your most individual YOU. And the same thing goes for you, and your own spirit. Fly free, and stop worrying about what that mirror is telling you. Remember, it's opinion is only really your own after all.



 2. Happiness has a beat, BOUNCE to it. I always loved watching Billy onstage, because the music just seemed to come through him. No fancy acoustics, no light shows... no lip syncs... just a man with his hand directly on the 'pulse' of the music. And, when Billy sang - he literally 'bounced'... you could tell he was all joy in that moment. Not too many artists out there today, who can so effortlessly tap into the real 'beat' of the music... happiness has that 'beat', too. Never be afraid to 'bounce' to your own beat. Feel it, own it, and live it. Always.
 
3. When the American Idol Judges tell you to 'make it your own', refer to Billy Preston's cover of the Beatles song "Blackbird" as your benchmark. 
Also, "make it your own" applies to all things in life and living, including bubble baths and impromptu Ninja fights... but most of all, it applies to you. Make it your own, in all things you say, and do... never, ever, ever, EVER be afraid to apply your 'stamp' to even the silliest things... like forever and faithfully eating only the pecans out of your favorite butter pecan ice cream.. or going 'frosting first', on the cupcake (it's only a delivery system anyway). "Make it your own" - applies to all things and everything. 

Billy Preston's, "Blackbird" 

4. You really do gotta have something, if you wanna be with me. It's not about setting your standards too high, or, becoming some version of an elitist snob you've always not admired.. rather, it's most about surrounding yourself with the people and things that bring you the most joy and love and happiness. Because, in the end, we are the gatekeepers to everything in our lives and spirits and souls. Find what makes your heart smile, and live in it!

5. And finally, Joy is all around you - smile until your face hurts. Because, life should just be that way... :)


xo for now, and namaste 

ps - and just so we're clear... there really is a limit to the fantastic and phenomenal stretching power of Stretch Armstrong... just so we're clear.

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~  Mahatma Gandhi

BE the change you wish to see in this world.

(with love and light, and skillful reprint from 'ele')

*namaste*

 

18 Rules for Living

(reprinted from nedhardy.com)

At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama issued eighteen rules for living. Since word travels slowly in the digital age these have only just reached me. Here they are.

1. Take into account that GREAT love and GREAT achievements involve GREAT risk.
2.  When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3.  Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for ALL of your actions 
4.  Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5.  Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6.  Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7.  When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8.  Spend some time alone every day.
9.  Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10.  Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11.  Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12.  A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13.  In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14.  Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15.  Be gentle with the earth.
16.  Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17.  Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18.  Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

My Most Favorite Frost

I remember first reading this passage when I was still so very young, and curled up against the crackling fire my Father had built ~ just as he had done so many times before on these our most coldest winter eves.

I have always loved Robert Frost ~ and his almost magical way of spinning the most amazing images out of just a very few words. But mostly, I loved him because - in his, those very few words, I always felt 'at home'.

The following passage is from the poem, "the star splitter"...and for many years, no matter where I was on this great big earth - these few words always caused me to look high up to the sky to see if Orion was indeed there looking down on me...and with each glance, no matter how many miles were there between ...in that instant, I could close my eyes and feel so very close to home. So tonight, I'll share this with the world in hopes that there might be a little girl curled up so close to 'fire' while her Father sits back in his favorite chair, taking in the site of a home all at rest.

The Star-splitter
BY ROBERT FROST

"You know Orion always comes up sideways.
Throwing a leg up over our fence of mountains,
And rising on his hands, he looks in on me
Busy outdoors by lantern-light with something
I should have done by daylight, and indeed,
After the ground is frozen, I should have done
Before it froze, and a gust flings a handful
Of waste leaves at my smoky lantern chimney
To make fun of my way of doing things,
Or else fun of Orion's having caught me.

The Space Between

These past few days, I've literally spent in my bed thinking and reflecting (blankets serve a great dual purpose in shielding out the negative energy of a day, and providing ample coziness to feel comfortable in our bigger thinking "projects"). 

I was thinking over my sadness. For you see, in a bizarre twist of fate, and wild turn of events no one could ever predict and or see - I found myself standing alone and seemingly defenseless in a sea of angry people. Not just one or two, as we sometimes experience in our day to day - rather, quite literally thousands. And, as with this many people and with that much negative energy ~ it seemed my email box spilled over with more hateful sentiment, than I was swiftly able to delete. Those, who did not know me - and never once having experienced my energy... and those who never once came close to really knowing my heart... they all felt some push to share... well, suffice to say people can be quite cruel in their general observations of the world and all of the beautiful people in it.

And, because I am often wandering mindlessly along my path, in careful reflection, and thinking about all the wonderful things in this world and along my way - it came as quite a shock that I had missed this, "great ugliness". 

And, I will be honest - that initially, this new understanding of the 'other' side of the human heart was so completely overwhelming .. that it kept me hidden under my sheets until I felt is safe to come out again. 

And, if truth be told and we are being completely honest here - I don't think I stopped crying in ALL of those two days I spent hidden under my sheets. Even as I write this, I am still very much overwhelmed and saddened by having come *this* close to touching such random hate ~ because, I know in my heart what I experienced... is just the smallest slice, of the greater whole of what exists inside the rest of this very real world. 

I'm not so much saddened by *what* was said ~ these words, without context, have no greater impact on my spirit... rather, I am most sad *that* this energy was shared. Because, I have always been of the very simple opinion - that it takes so little to share kindness; even less, to offer compassion; and less still, the ability to look to another and *see* that there is a heart and spirit on the other side. I guess, I have always felt... in an awfully, very Buddhist sort of way.. that we're all part of the same fabric, interconnected through some greater energy and unlimited by any boundaries between us. When I look to others, I truly see *all* the wonderful ways in which we are connected and interconnected - I see how much we truly share. Sometimes, in looking to others - I see myself, metaphorically, and in some small ways. But always, in looking to others ~ I see their heart. 

And I realized that, the only thing that keeps us all from knowing that level of closeness - is this space in between that we either fill with love, or with reasons to keep us apart. In my space in between, I will always choose to have closeness - I will always choose to find  compassion, and the energy to be greater than any other illusions that might try to nudge their way in.  But mostly, in the space in between - I shall always choose to find love. 

And, try as they might to change me through their opinion - I will always be true to my own spirit. You can't dim the sun by slipping on a pair of shades ~ the light is always the same, no matter what you do to try to change it. Just as the space between, is just as we choose and will it to always be.  

I feel very sad for those who were so greatly unkind, because, in the end ~ it's the space they create that is keeping them away from the things they want, love, and need the very most.