Thursday
Touching the Earth Collective – January 2022 Newsletter
Books at the Winter Bedside
By Irene Woodard
There is little time to finish reading books. I always have five or six of them around to catch a chapter, some words to inspire.
And I don’t always remember where I had first heard of a book. But the Mid-Hudson Library system of which Rosendale is a part, allows me to go online any hour of the day or night and put a book on hold, even books not published yet. And because this is all free, I am very generous with myself and order whatever my mind desires. My latest discovery is a book on handmade puppets by Paul Klee, (recycling) called Hand Puppets. I plan to make a puppet this year.
Then there is The Book of Hope, A Survival Guide for Trying Times, by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams. They divide the book into three sections, 1. What is Hope? 2. Jane’s 4 reasons for hope; which are, The Amazing Human Intellect, The Resilience of Nature, The Power of Young People, and The Indomitable Human Spirit. And 3. Becoming a Messenger of Hope.
She writes well, and I can pick and choose what chapters I am curious about.
Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, by Thich Nhat Hanh and Sister True Dedication. I waited a long time for this one–lots of readers ahead of me. And I have had trouble getting into it, despite the familiar title. Blaming it on the fonts used… This one is the most “Buddhist” of all in the group and so I am going to push a bit more, and see what happens. His books are generally pithy and wise. I will report on the outcome of applying more discipline and see what gets revealed.
Bewilderment, a novel by Richard Powers. No, I haven’t read his previous novel The Overstory, but heard good things about this one, and since it is only 278 pages, there is a good chance it will be read. He name-drops lots of plants I have seen, so I easily fall into the forest with the writer and his nine-year-old son, as they are camping. I have been drawn in. And a novel is so juicy, as I am often knee-deep in non-fiction. I like the change.
World of Wonders is just that. The subtitle: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and other Astonishments, by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. I love these essays, and the illustrations are realistic without being photographic. This woman investigates her life, through her engagement with the natural world. And it was recommended by a father, teacher, piano player, and that’s not all. He said he is giving it as a gift to numerous friends and family for the holidays. This one is a keeper.
So that is what is on this Earth protector’s bedside. And you?
Dream well,
Love
Irene
Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective
— Elemental Expression —
Every month, we offer a space for one of the Collective’s members or friends
to share their work, art, or passion…
Marjolaine Robert
–Artist Statement–
In 2018, I had the opportunity to return to the Jardin des Tuileries, which I hadn’t seen in several years. There, everything is perfectly arranged and, at the same time, all of nature’s elements sparkle, right in the middle of the city.
I took this picture because of the beauty and harmony it captured–the gentle pigeon, the reddish and lively tree bark, and the beauty of a mythological sculpture: Pomona.
Everything to make me dream. And dreaming… I love!
My heart opens. I look and I look again. I linger and let myself be invaded by this presence. One could say that it is the shape, the color, the atmosphere of the moment that makes me discover this image. It is the wonder!
I use inks and watercolors to avoid falling into the details of copying. The inks flow, disperse and you just have to watch them and stop their course when the stains invite you to.
Right: “Pomona the First” or “The Face of a Tree”
I made a first painting. I let the textures of the bark, stone, and space paint for me. It all happens very quickly. Simplicity, spontaneity guided me to continue with the same original image: Pomona.
“Pomona the Second” no longer bore any resemblance to the first one. I was surprised to find that I had absolutely no influence on it and that the tree had become a bird! I had ventured as usual into the land of conceptual oblivion. Everything was new and fresh every moment. I was feeding and being fed!
At that moment, I understood that an image is infinite, if I don’t copy it!
What a beautiful discovery! An exciting discovery, allowing me to be myself while being captivated by the appearance of these forms, these colors that do not belong to me, that arise by themselves and that bring out emotions…
It is the principle of attention to our perceptions: “The happiest moments are the moments when we do not observe ourselves”. This is what happens to the artist or to any person who remains open to something other than herself.
The process of discovery continues and still, after the fifteenth creation, I marvel at the infinity! Without an overly critical witness… I feel wonderful!
Marjolaine Robert
Montréal, Québec
www.marjolainerobert.com
A Letter from Greenfaith
By Irene Woodard
The little gray birds are busy at my bird feeder, and the squirrels are breaking seeds just below it. It is sparkly and cold and storage is going on in preparation for the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. We, as humans, also add the voice of possibility for a new year. Resolutions, fresh starts, daring leaps… One of the questions I hear most is what can I do about climate change? Systemic change is necessary, indeed. And yet, so much more is needed, as well. I am about to hibernate myself, and so instead of writing a long article, I am slowing down,copying the letter below, as it is from my “hometown” organization, ( I am the Vice-Chair of the Board of GreenFaith) and this letter is from my German colleague, Caroline, who is leading this initiative, Living the Change. I am personally signing up and making a low-carbon resolution… Please read her letter, check out the links, watch the video included, and consider doing it too. Resolving to act, for yourself and for the earth. We all can start something new in January. And along with GreenFaith’s organizing continue into the year collectively , making changes, as a society. May we all be of benefit. Onwards into January!
During this special time of the year, we look back with gratitude for our multi-faith collaboration for climate justice in 2021. Many of us need a well-deserved break. Christmas and the New Year are around the corner… We spend time with family and loved ones. Often, this is also a time for personal reflection, spiritual grounding and thinking about the next steps.
We choose climate-friendly living because we reject the desecration of people and planet and embrace joyful lives of simplicity and solidarity.
Such choices send a clear message. Rooted in gratitude for life and for Earth itself, our spiritual paths guide us to care for creation or nature,
live simply, avoid waste, and love our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable.
Individual behavior change alone can’t save the Earth. Massive corporations, unwilling governments, and greedy financial institutions stand in the way of climate justice.
But aligning our lives with what we believe is central to our faiths, and principled personal commitment is vital to every social movement.
That’s why we invite you to start living the change!
A personal invitation to you: https://vimeo.com/658882448
—
by contributing $9/month — $108/year?
to express your support and protect the earth.
Your monthly gift of $9 will help sustain our work
and allow us to continue into the future.
All Sustaining Members will receive the Touching the Earth pin,
with the elements of earth, fire, air and water, as an expression of our thanks…
And it helps spread the word!
Click here to contribute in US $! / Or here in Canadian $
Sustaining Members receive donation tax receipts from Shambhala.
Author Archive
no responses - Posted 01.04.22
Each Sunday, Shambhala offers “Sunday Gatherings”, a series of free weekly online gatherings for the worldwide Shambhala community where we can come together to connect with our hearts and with each other. Weekly gatherings will feature a guest presenter and include a meditation or contemplation practice, as ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.29.21
What did Chogyam Trungpa teach in 1974? These talks are now available through the Meditation: The Way of the Buddha course! Please join us to explore Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s early teachings on the path of meditation as presented to an audience of new students at Naropa in 1974. ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.21.21
We would like to wish you a very cheerful Children’s Day, solstice, and holiday season filled with joy, good cheer, and the love of family and friends. Here’s a brief description of Children’s Day, written by Noel McLellan: Noel McLellan Children’s Day is a celebration of the Winter Solstice ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.17.21
Reposted with permission from Lion’s Roar She’s a powerful teacher—and a prolific one. There’s a Pema teaching for every stage of your life. Here are some of the best. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times Shambhala Publications Difficult moments abound in life but we can meet them ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.14.21
By Gaylon Ferguson Reposted with permission from Lion’s Roar Note: Gaylon Ferguson is presenting in the upcoming Shambhala Online course, Meditation: The Way of the Buddha. For more information, and to register online, click here. Photo by Karsten Wurth The times we live in keep asking us a simple question: ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.03.21
Each Sunday, Shambhala offers “Sunday Gatherings”, a series of free weekly online gatherings for the worldwide Shambhala community where we can come together to connect with our hearts and with each other. Weekly gatherings will feature a guest presenter and include a meditation or contemplation practice, as ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.01.21
Shambhala Online presents a six-week online course based on archival videos by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Although decades old, these archival talks from the summer of 1974 retain their original potency and are a reminder of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s incomparable skill at communicating Buddhist teachings to a Western ...continue
6 responses - Posted 11.23.21
As part of our ongoing journey of learning about and understanding harm within Shambhala, the Shambhala Board has released the following Statement on Harm in our Community. In addition to English, the Statement is also available in Français, Español and Italiano. Statement on Harm in our Community from ...continue
no responses - Posted 11.16.21
Expressing the Nature of Awakening By Judith Simmer-Brown This article was originally published in Spiral Magazine, published by the Rubin Museum. Note: Judith Simmer-Brown is one of the course presenters for an upcoming Shambhala Online course, Meditation: The Way of the Buddha. To learn more about the course, visit the ...continue
no responses - Posted 11.12.21
5 Reasons to Meditate By Pema Chödron Note: Pema Chödron is one of the course presenters for an upcoming Shambhala Online course, Meditation: The Way of the Buddha. To learn more about the course, visit the course website. Ani Pema Chodron at the Naropa Graduation of the Daily ...continue
no responses - Posted 11.09.21
Touching the Earth Collective: November 2021 Newsletter Days of Action in Halifax, Boulder, Sky Lake and Washington DC. HALIFAX: by Richard Peisinger Inspired by GreenFaith’s October call for action by faith groups worldwide, the Halifax Shambhala Touching the Earth Collective organized an October 29th RBC Day of Action in conjunction with Leadnow, a ...continue
no responses - Posted 11.05.21
How can we move forward as a community that respects one another’s practice paths? What practical steps can we take to strengthen our community? Through October’s Sharing Shambhala Part 1 conversations, we have developed a map of the experiences and aspirations of Shambhalians with different practice relationships ...continue
no responses - Posted 11.02.21
Each Sunday, Shambhala offers “Sunday Gatherings”, a series of free weekly online gatherings for the worldwide Shambhala community where we can come together to connect with our hearts and with each other. Weekly gatherings will feature a guest presenter and include a meditation or contemplation practice, as ...continue
1 response - Posted 10.29.21
Cynicism and Magic Intelligence & Intuition on the Buddhist Path By Chögyam Trungpa Review by Christine Heming The talks transcribed and edited in this book are based on the inaugural class that Naropa’s founder, Chögyam Trungpa, offered in the summer of 1974. They are the product of a new generation ...continue