Heartland Community of Mindful Living

01/26/2022

01/26/2022

Please do not build a stupa (shrine) for me. Please do not put my ashes in a vase, lock me inside and limit who I am. I know this will be difficult for some of you. If you must build a stupa though, please make sure that you put a sign on it that says, ‘I am not in here.’ In addition, you can also put another sign that says, ‘I am not out there either,’ and a third sign that says, ‘If I am anywhere, it is in your mindful breathing and in your peaceful steps.’”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

12/30/2020

Happy new year!

A meditation instruction by Thich Nhat Hanh on starting over.

08/15/2020

It’s “Comma-la”. Harris' name is actually derived from the Sanskrit word for "lotus," and the explanation sounds gorgeous and meaningful. "The symbolism is that the lotus flower sits on water, but never really gets wet," she explained at a book event at George Washington University. "Its roots are in the mud, meaning it is grounded. One must always know where they come from.

People have been getting it wrong for years (lookin' at you, Trump).

08/09/2020

You were always free by Jim Percy

There always was a pure drop of the water of compassion
Falling from the branch of the willow tree

There always was a wondrous voice,
a voice that thundered like the rolling sea.

There was always freedom from affliction

Within the suffering
the cause
the end
the path

Even in the desolation
Even in addiction
Even in injustice
Even in the endless war

There always was a springtime returning to the dry earth
A child born from a lotus blossom
and
You were always free

In Thich Nhat Hanh’s commentary on the 15th verse in Understanding Our Mind, there is a sentence that says “But in fact the essential nature of store consciousness has always been free of afflictions."

08/01/2020

Good article 🧘‍♀️

Deciding to forgive is a big step. After all, you're the one who's been harmed! But it turns out that forgiving someone actually has benefits for your mental health. The practice of radical forgiveness can help you process hurt and anger — and ultimately find peace.

07/29/2020

🧘‍♀️

Deliberately Choosing What You Attend To

Control your thoughts.

For many of us, this is the hardest nut to crack, which is why I’ve left it to last. Minds are made to wander. Practice noticing when your mind is veering off in its own direction, and gently guide your focus back to where you want it. If you think of some important small task while you are doing focused work, jot it down on a notepad and come back to it later. Do the same with information you want to look up online.

To be consistently productive and manage stress better, we must strengthen our skill in attention management.

07/13/2020

Please help if you can. Any little amount counts!

A special message from Sister Chan Khong…