I love these three photos, taken the day of our departure from Kauai.
Dana and I returned to the beach location (Keoneloa) where 3 days prior we were hosted in wedding ceremony by our friends Roq and Erica. One last glimpse. One last breath. One last squeeze of the hand to take home with us.
It was the location where 3 days prior we were drummed into circle of stones, where we were invited to take our shoes off to stand on a quilt in marriage ceremony (made by Dana’s mother).
Where we paused to bring deliberate breath to the moment and to our lives together.
Where we named and acknowledged a few closer-ins that journey with us in our lives — parents, grandparents, children, siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, some dear friends.
Where we participated in simple rituals of sand, water, fire.
Where we stood appreciating our conviction and joy together, with vows that repeated the line, “I choose you, I choose us.”
And, and, and.
Ceremonies matter in our lives. This kind, so personal. But also the many day to day moments in which we ceremonialize our convictions, our loves, our joys, our appreciations, our lookings up, our lookings down, our looking forward.
I love these photos, that returned Dana and me to our physical location for our ceremony and vows. I loved the looking up, down, and forward together. And I loved the way that all of that helps us see broader, to what is behind us, and now all around us, with new and shared eyes.
Toke often posts phrases from Prem Rawat. I quite like the simplicity and direction in both of these men.
Pay attention to your day. Pay attention to this breath. Pay attention to this life.
I return today from a swirl of life that will continue to swirl in me. Dana and I married last week in a circle of stones on a beach. It was simple. It was beautiful. And then we returned to that site on the beach a couple of days to breathe, to pay attention.
Life is meant to swirl, isn’t it. Sometimes quickly. Sometimes with linger. Sometimes with rich texture that can only come in the swirl. I love knowing experience in my body. Like I know this circle and ceremony. It’s how I best remember.
People like these men, Toke and Prem Rawat help me to remember that. Dana helps me to remember and know that, into a life already rich, and something tells me, is about to get richer.
It is the waking that so many of us yearn for, isn’t it.
To be alive. To learn. To contribute. To cherish. To unfold. To go well. To receive. To give. To create. To surrender. To love. To love again. To love the flow of it all.
Tomorrow Dana and I leave for Kauai. To wake further to this week. To wake further to the longings in our hearts, in our celebration of love and married union, chosen in this 60-something time of life.
Joy. Wow. Jeepers!
I quite like John O’Donohue’s blessings. I quite like his guidance to waking, which speaks to what I feel on this threshold of this union, in this continued marvel of coupling found.
On Waking John O’Donohue
I give thanks for arriving Safely in a new dawn,
For the gift of eyes To see the world, The gift of mind To feel at home In my life.
The waves of possibility Breaking on the shore of the dawn, The harvest of the past That awaits my hunger,
And all the furtherings This new day will bring.
“New dawn. At home. Waves of possibility. All the furtherings.”
It is the waking that so many of us yearn for, isn’t it.
Grateful.
Gifts of Circle
asd Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."
Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.
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In My Nature
asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."
This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes) quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.
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Most Mornings + Note Cards
asd Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."
This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes) quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.
