Spiritual Practices

May 23, 2008

My spiritual practice is singing!
When I sing, I tune into the soul of the earth; I tune into the song of the grasses and gentle rustling sound of the wind moving through the leaves of the aspen trees. I tune into the scent of the sunset or the glow of the golden moon as it sets in the early morning, when the air is cold and fresh with the first daylight. I tune into the feeling of freedom which comes from commitment to happiness. I tune into my body and the bliss which spreads through it, the feeling of alignment of my cells with the vibration of the earth as it breathes. I let it well up in the sound which pours out of me, flirting playfully with the possibility of lusting for life itself. I taste each phrase and indulge in the nuance and color, and the swift disappearing of it, no sooner than it has occurred….

And, I am a musician. I know about daily practice. I love singing my scales and exercises which keep my instrument well oiled. And just as there are techniques to master an instrument, there are techniques you can learn to master life. It is essential to have a daily routine of practical tools for living.

Meditation
I’ve been practicing meditation for the last 25 years; it is an integral part of my life, a daily practice. Meditation, whether through movement, sitting, encounters with nature, as well as more formal Buddhist practices, has nurtured me in its utter simplicity. I am deeply grateful for my connection with the Upaya Institute and Zen center here in Santa Fe and the many teachers I have had the fortune to study with. Sometimes more, sometimes less structured, meditation has been the basso continuo of my life.

Avatar
What really got me up to speed, though, has been the many Avatar courses I have participated in – the most marvelous and brilliant training of the mind: to be in the present moment, to live from source, and to extend our appreciation to others. Avatar has been the most practical training I have come across; it is a self-directed study and teaches you the tools to create your life experience. I recommend it to everyone, since it is gives you a toolkit for living. My appreciation for this path continues to grow and I love delivering Avatar courses. Please contact me or check the website at www.avatarepc.com for upcoming courses, for exercises you can practice and podcasts of Harry Palmer, the founder of avatar.

Gratefulness
The practice of Gratefulness is at the heart of the teaching of Brother David Steindl–Rast. It is the most beautiful daily practice I can think of. There is always something we can be grateful for at any given moment, if we choose to recognize the opportunity for inner growth which every moment offers. I am a “Guardian of Gratefulness” which means I support the organization, and the work, of Brother David. You can check out www.gratefulness.org for a wide variety of services that help you bring the practice of Gratefulness into your life as well as giving you a wellspring of positive information.