Thich Nhat Hanh Meditation
I haven’t been sleeping well lately. It’s relatively new— I can fall asleep but wake up a lot during the night. I finally figured out that I think it is anxiety about the elections, the state of our country, our future, etc. I am not usually prone to anxiety but I guess there is a lot to worry about right now…My friend Annie suggested I listen to some of Thich Nhat Hanh’s meditations. He is one of her go to people in the world.
This first Heart meditation has the soothing quality of the ocean behind it. This second one is a rare guided metta meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh which was offered on 31st December 2009, as part of a special Dharma Talk for the New Year. It invites us to practise loving-kindness. According to the Buddhist tradition, Thay says, love should always be directed at ourselves first before we can offer it to someone else.
You can practise on your own by listening to Thay, or you can guide a friend by reading the text below:
May I be peaceful and light in my body and in my mind.
May I be safe and free from accidents.
May I be free from anger, unwholesome states of mind, fear and worries.
May I know how to look at myself with the eyes of understanding and compassion.
May I be able to recognise and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.
May I learn how to nourish myself with joy each day.
May I be able to live fresh, solid and free.
May I not fall into the state of indifference or be caught in
the extremes of attachment or aversion.
May all beings be peaceful and light in their body and in their mind.
May all beings be safe and free from accidents.
May all beings be free from anger, unwholesome states of mind, fear
and worries.
May all beings know how to look at themselves with the eyes of understanding and compassion.
May all beings be able to recognise and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in themselves.
May all beings learn how to nourish themselves with joy each day.
May all beings be able to live fresh, solid and free.
May all beings not fall into the state of indifference or be caught in the extremes of attachment or aversion.
New York Magazine Article on
Troy Jackson
for U.S. Senate
Here is an article from New York Magazine about the senate candidate Troy Jackson, running for the U.S. Senate in the state of Maine against Susan Collins. It is a crucial race if we are to take back the Senate and we need all the help we can get. Troy Jackson started late after the Graham Platner fiasco. He is being handled by traditional democrats who are trying to run a “traditional democratic campaign in Maine.” It is simply not working as Mainers do not go for the raise money at all costs. They want to see the real candidate being out there and being real. Rebecca Traister captured this in her New York Magazine article reprinted here. For anyone interested in the importance of taking over the senate, this is an important read. And again, we could use your support in any way you can—contributions, phone banking, in person canvassing, letter writing… Thank you!
Sweet Potato Recipe
Photo of the Week
Climate Week Kick-off Breakfast in my studio in New York on Sept. 22nd, sponsored by Nia Impact Capital, a women led impact investing firm, investing with purpose at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. Founded by Kristin Hull.
Charities of the Week:
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.