Ever since I left the monastery where I trained, it has been my intention to live in the world without being of the world. This means living committed to the wisdom of nature, which is often not modeled by the systems our society relies upon. In a culture that has been out of balance with nature for many generations, there is a popular preference for doing over being, productivity over restoration, yang over yin, filling rather than emptying, noise over quiet, and light over dark. Having recently found myself struggling with balance, I offer these reflections on balance and stillness.
As we begin to enter the time of shorter days and longer nights… and as we prepare to welcome Winter… there is an invitation to slow down, listen deeply, and welcome the restorative medicine of stillness. As our world continues to change, and the systems we have relied upon appear to be unravelling, there is a tremendous opportunity for all on the spiritual path. We are each being called to grow in our capacity, resilience, and commitment to presence - and to do so on behalf of the greater good. As a dharma teacher and mentor to people from all walks of life and diverse parts of the world, I see a re-awakening to essential wisdom. I also see people seeking tools for how to meet the confusion of the relative world with the deeper knowing and clarity of the absolute realm.
Collectively, there is more pain for us to feel in the name of healing. There is more systemic dysfunction revealing itself. This has, in turn, promoted a desire for more clarity and subtle attunement to help us navigate life.
What conscious boundaries are needed to grow our capacity for attunement during a time of great change?
How does one live in deep listening within a context of distraction and the age of information?
What do our bodies have to say about the need to balance time in stillness and activity?
In an age of technology and social media, does this support consciousness or deter it?
First, I would like to name a collective misconception: That due to our advancements in technology and social media, we are more evolved than ever as a species - and that the internet has allowed us to be more aware than ever. I’d like to point out a subtlety here: While technology and social media provide us access to more information than ever before, which can strengthen our social and political awareness, the most powerful and pure form of awareness comes from deep within.
Present moment awareness, which is boundless, deep and sees clearly, is our greatest resource as human beings. It is who we actually are beneath the surface of ideas, concepts, projections, opinions, identity, and fear. Awareness is the seat of natural intelligence and innate interconnection. It is the doorway to deeper ways of knowing and attunement beyond our cognitive mind. Awareness guides us to skillful action that does not cause harm.
Our level of awareness depends on the quality of our attention and our commitment for deep listening within and without. While technology and social media have served us in many ways, they have created a level of static in the relational field that does not serve deep listening. The amount of disjointed and conditioned information that most people take in each day is unprecedented, and is often imbalanced by the experience of spaciousness that helps one to integrate life.
In these “unilluminated, but brightly lit dark ages” (a quote from Jonathon Anthony West), I encourage people not to undervalue the importance of pure awareness. It is important for each and every one of us to find our center within the static, and learn what exactly we need to be conscious participants in this world moment by moment - while simultaneously growing our capacity. The invitation is to make deep listening - within and out - one’s moment by moment practice. The good news is that deep listening is the most connected and enjoyable state to be in. It is also the only ground for being of true service regeneratively, through “getting out of the way.”
In this spirit, following are some important announcements about how I offer this work:
In order to keep my commitment to Regenerative Leadership, I will be taking time off from Personal Consultations this Fall between November 20-December 15 for personal practice. If you are a regular client, I would ask you to please schedule your sessions in that time period earlier in November and later in December. Thank you deeply for your understanding.
I am offering a new way for your practice questions to be fielded and responded to: The best way to reach me with practice questions is either to attend an event, sign up for a session/program or attend my monthly Deepening Practice call. Questions can be called or emailed in for these calls, and all sessions are recorded. Your questions, even if they are personal in nature, are of benefit to the entire community, and I will take time to respond to each inquiry for the larger community. A small tax-deductible donation to Mindful Living Revolution enables your participation.
While I am a great advocate of the internet for helping us to connect intimately for online courses, I do not actually believe in our reliance on a brightly lit screen for everyday communications. This is the world we are living in, however, and I hope we each listen to our bodies well and find the right relationship to the computer.
I have created a teaching schedule this year that I sincerely hope offers helpful medicine in this age of challenge and transformation. In direct address to the above mentioned preparation for this coming time of shorter days and longer nights, I am offering a women’s workshop in December with Rochelle Schieck: Welcoming Winter: The Dharma and Dance of Going Within.
In the spirit of equity and accessibility, I offer workshops and retreats based on a sliding scale or dana (donation for the teaching) whenever possible. Because I also teach at venues which can sometimes be expensive, I work with the venues to offer scholarships wherever possible.
For those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the Scholarship Fund, please click here.
I am always open to feedback. I deeply appreciate your practice, your presence, and your boundless heart.
In Peace and Passion,
Eden
