Weekly Guiding Teacher Reflection

Dear Common Ground Friends,

The Dhamma invites us fully into our lives in every profound and ordinary moment. By attuning willingly to the ordinary experiences of body and mind, we come into alignment with the transient currents of sensation, feeling, and mental impressions. The simple and trustworthy willingness to know that it's like this right now begins to steady the heart.

As we learn to linger in the present again and again, we begin to notice what has always been here but is often missed in our busyness and worry. Buddhist practice guides us to trust this simplicity. As understanding deepens, we become more and more inspired by the steady, reliable ease that comes from being present. A quiet confidence develops drawing us back to the way it is over and over.

I found some inspiration recently in this poem by Joseph Goldstein. I hope it supports you too.

Warm Wishes,
Shelly Graf
Co-Guiding Teacher

A Fall
A high forest stream,
a slip, a fall, a twisted knee
and summer plans asunder.
Why, because
anything can happen any time.

A night awake
grumbling,
and in the morning
peace.
Why, because
anything can happen any time
opens the heart
to life
to death.