When you find the Light within you

you will know that you have always

been in the center of wisdom.

As you probe deeper into who you really are,

with your lightedness and your confusion,

with your angers, longings, and distortions,

you will find the true living God.

Then you will say:

“I have known you all my life

and I have called you by many different names.

I have called you mother and father and child.

I have called you lover.

I have called you sun and flowers.

I have called you my heart.

But I never, until this moment,

called you Myself.”

Emmanuel’s Book

May I be a guard for all those who are protector-less,
A guide for those who journey on the road,
For those who wish to cross the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.

May I be an isle for those who yearn for landfall,
And a lamp for those who long for light;
For those who need a resting place, a bed;
For all who need a servant, may I be their slave.

For all those ailing in the world,
Until their every sickness has been healed,
May I myself become for them
The doctor, nurse, the medicine itself.

          Shantideva

I continue to be filled with thoughts of lovingkindness for our wonderful teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. I remember reading the Miracle of mindfulness the first time, the little book on Mindfulness practice. It felt like he was giving me personally so much guidance on how to deal with all the frantic thoughts that were continually attacking my mind/heart… Like this:

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.”

So simple.. use your breath to take hold of your mind again. When the mind runs away with itself and takes the heart with it, come back to the breath… deep breath in… deep breath out. As many times and necessary until the mind is calm and centered again. Do that as much as you need to. Make this a habit instead of the habit on chasing my thoughts.