Barry posted a version of Peter Mayer singing Holy Now on Ox Herding a few weeks ago.  Then Jan Chozen Bays of Great Vow posted this version her Facebook page with this comment:

Peter Mayer’s sacred science song, with captioned lyrics. Organizations may play this video publicly by downloading the mp4 and donating at: http://thegreatstory.org/order-mayer.html (Note: This video, by Connie Barlow, is authorized by Peter Mayer for public use on a donations basis.).

Enjoy!

See you all in 2 weeks!

Thank you for practising,

Genju

This weekend, we ran a retreat training a group of health care professional in the skills to run Mindfulness-Based programs. It always amazes me that we can be so  highly trained yet feel so much fear when test-driving new techniques or practices.  Of course, it’s a statement of courage that we tolerate our fear so that we can engage willingly in learning ways to better care for others.  In simple terms, these retreats blow my mind.  One exercise we always do is to sit in groups of two and ask: what does your heart yearn for?

What does my heart yearn for?

Rest.  Peace.  Silence.  Connection.

Rohatsu – the time we celebrate and consecrate the Buddha’s enlightenment – is December 8th.  I’ve yearned for years to take part in a Rohatsu retreat yet always felt the “red terror” at the thought of 7 days spent in such intense disciplined silence.  But life is too long to spend time yearning.  In two days, I’m headed to Upaya for Rohatsu with my dearest dharma siblings from all over the North American continent.  This time, different from other retreats, I am doing a few things that are cause the wave of red terror to rise.

I am not taking my notebook.

I am not going to schedule posts from Tuesday onwards.

I am not checking my phone (taking a separate alarm clock).

I am only taking the minimal clothing I will need.  Everything in the smallest carry-on I have.

What does my heart yearn for?

To let go with trust that nothing and everything will change.