I’m a couple weeks into my latest attempt at a mindfulness practice. I love the notion that as soon as you realize that you’re not being mindful, you are practicing. This takes the pressure off. Thank you for your beautiful words!
This is really beautifully written, full of grace and kindness that I needed today. Thank you for sharing.
I love the concept of sangha. I think that’s something I am also missing (living in a new city, away from some of my closer relationships) and would like to seek out.
Thank you so much for co-creating sangha here, in this space. I am also on the move to a new place, as you know from this post, so sending you solidarity. May we find the connections we need, in unexpected ways, in this new season.
There are so many lovely gems in here, Ryan. I particularly loved when you wrote, "Struggling, clearly, but still lovable and worthy." I feel like it sums up so many moments in my life. And that the practice isn't about maintaining, but about returning. I can use that reminder more often in life. 💜
I have been struggling recently. I was so excited to finally find a ritual of writing morning pages. It brightened me up and helped me find answers from the depth. I struggled maintaining the practice of writing within 30 min of waking up. I would feel like a failure and deny myself to go back to it to write whenever I felt like it. I tucked the diary away in the bedside table. One day I just could not resist to answer its call and I wrote. I felt the same peace and excitement that I did if I wrote within the first 30 mins. But I keep questioning that I am not following a set way of expressing my subconscious without being tainted by my children's emotions and needs. Reading about what your monk friends told you about "returning instead of maintaining the practice", I had tears rolling down. This is the grace I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing. I can see my ritual as the door to a temple. I climbed the stairs to reach here. I can give myself grace for doing the work to show up.
I love this framing of coming to creativity as a caregiver: “I am climbing the temple steps.” I can very much relate to the tension you describe here. I wrote about that here if that’s helpful: https://substack.com/home/post/p-141462240
This was such a great and timely reminder, Ryan! I also loved hearing the full story of your journey to mindfulness. Comfortable With Uncertainty is one of my favorite Pema Chodron books, too :)
When Things Fall Apart was my introduction to her work. It made me feel seen & heard during a time in my life when I felt so, so alone. I picked it up in a campus bookstore and I’m forever changed!
I’m a couple weeks into my latest attempt at a mindfulness practice. I love the notion that as soon as you realize that you’re not being mindful, you are practicing. This takes the pressure off. Thank you for your beautiful words!
I’m so glad they were helpful! Would love to know more about what your practice is looking like these days.
This is really beautifully written, full of grace and kindness that I needed today. Thank you for sharing.
I love the concept of sangha. I think that’s something I am also missing (living in a new city, away from some of my closer relationships) and would like to seek out.
Thank you so much for co-creating sangha here, in this space. I am also on the move to a new place, as you know from this post, so sending you solidarity. May we find the connections we need, in unexpected ways, in this new season.
There are so many lovely gems in here, Ryan. I particularly loved when you wrote, "Struggling, clearly, but still lovable and worthy." I feel like it sums up so many moments in my life. And that the practice isn't about maintaining, but about returning. I can use that reminder more often in life. 💜
Thank you so much, Tiffany. I have repeated that mantra many times to myself between then and now.
I have been struggling recently. I was so excited to finally find a ritual of writing morning pages. It brightened me up and helped me find answers from the depth. I struggled maintaining the practice of writing within 30 min of waking up. I would feel like a failure and deny myself to go back to it to write whenever I felt like it. I tucked the diary away in the bedside table. One day I just could not resist to answer its call and I wrote. I felt the same peace and excitement that I did if I wrote within the first 30 mins. But I keep questioning that I am not following a set way of expressing my subconscious without being tainted by my children's emotions and needs. Reading about what your monk friends told you about "returning instead of maintaining the practice", I had tears rolling down. This is the grace I needed to hear. Thank you for sharing. I can see my ritual as the door to a temple. I climbed the stairs to reach here. I can give myself grace for doing the work to show up.
I love this framing of coming to creativity as a caregiver: “I am climbing the temple steps.” I can very much relate to the tension you describe here. I wrote about that here if that’s helpful: https://substack.com/home/post/p-141462240
This was such a great and timely reminder, Ryan! I also loved hearing the full story of your journey to mindfulness. Comfortable With Uncertainty is one of my favorite Pema Chodron books, too :)
Thank you Lauren! Any others you like?
When Things Fall Apart was my introduction to her work. It made me feel seen & heard during a time in my life when I felt so, so alone. I picked it up in a campus bookstore and I’m forever changed!
She’s so good at titles! Each one feels like a life preserver when you see it on the shelf. I’m so glad you found her too.