Amazing, Abby, and so beautifully and eloquently put. I think it's more than chance that this was the exact same theme that came up during our meeting at the Gurdjieff Foundation last night, and has already been a personal study for me moving into this season of Lent. May we all begin to see ourselves more and more clearly, moving ever further from reaction to compassion.
How helpful to read and learn from what you’ve shared. It’s a bit frightening how much you’ve nailed how I feel recently. It’s a gift to be given a tool to use and train with…Thank you!
I truly appreciate your non-judgmental approach to shenpa! We all experience it and can go down a spiral after our shenpa sparks. I really needed the reminder that being able to “pause, breathe and courageously not react” is the key to cultivating deeper wisdom! Thank you for this, Abby!
Abby, this is such a stunning and necessary reminder. Thank you for writing it.
The paragraph about seeing the train wreck approaching in slow motion — yes. Yes! I know that feeling all too well. Just days ago, I was writing about allowing the moment to be exactly as it is, sinking into the words with full presence… when my children burst through the door, shouting, jostling for snacks, laughter and chaos spilling into the room. What is this interruption?! my mind resisted. I need to get back to my writing! The irony was apparent (pun intended).
That moment, like so many others, was a reminder: We can talk about stillness all we want, but the real practice is in how we meet the moment as it arrives. And, like you, I see how often I don’t meet it well. The knowing doesn't always translate into doing. But maybe, with enough remembering, we’ll shorten the time between the "bright-eyed and open-hearted" clarity of “seeing what is” and the grasping to hold onto it.
If only we could pause long enough, how different might our world be? If our leaders (those with real global power) could learn to befriend their own minds before acting, before speaking — how much suffering could be spared? Maybe the work isn't just in choosing the right kind of leaders, but in creating a world where leadership itself requires this practice.
One pause. One breath. One courageous non-reaction at a time.
Grateful for your words and the clarity you bring.
Amazing, Abby, and so beautifully and eloquently put. I think it's more than chance that this was the exact same theme that came up during our meeting at the Gurdjieff Foundation last night, and has already been a personal study for me moving into this season of Lent. May we all begin to see ourselves more and more clearly, moving ever further from reaction to compassion.
Matt: Brightens my spirit to hear this synchronicity! And to imagine you all continuing to meet....I miss our groups!
You are clearly keeping up the work, Abby. Lovely to witness.
How helpful to read and learn from what you’ve shared. It’s a bit frightening how much you’ve nailed how I feel recently. It’s a gift to be given a tool to use and train with…Thank you!
I truly appreciate your non-judgmental approach to shenpa! We all experience it and can go down a spiral after our shenpa sparks. I really needed the reminder that being able to “pause, breathe and courageously not react” is the key to cultivating deeper wisdom! Thank you for this, Abby!
Abby, this is such a stunning and necessary reminder. Thank you for writing it.
The paragraph about seeing the train wreck approaching in slow motion — yes. Yes! I know that feeling all too well. Just days ago, I was writing about allowing the moment to be exactly as it is, sinking into the words with full presence… when my children burst through the door, shouting, jostling for snacks, laughter and chaos spilling into the room. What is this interruption?! my mind resisted. I need to get back to my writing! The irony was apparent (pun intended).
That moment, like so many others, was a reminder: We can talk about stillness all we want, but the real practice is in how we meet the moment as it arrives. And, like you, I see how often I don’t meet it well. The knowing doesn't always translate into doing. But maybe, with enough remembering, we’ll shorten the time between the "bright-eyed and open-hearted" clarity of “seeing what is” and the grasping to hold onto it.
If only we could pause long enough, how different might our world be? If our leaders (those with real global power) could learn to befriend their own minds before acting, before speaking — how much suffering could be spared? Maybe the work isn't just in choosing the right kind of leaders, but in creating a world where leadership itself requires this practice.
One pause. One breath. One courageous non-reaction at a time.
Grateful for your words and the clarity you bring.