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Welcome!
When we are focused on balancing and integrating our
mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual lives, we often find
it helpful to hear from others on the journey. Our deepest questions
may be articulated by others. We may feel less alone, and more
connected to those around us in meaningful ways.
It
is my hope that the words of this occasional letter will touch
your life and heart- that you will see how a life of more awareness
leads to a life of healing the deepest hurts- a life of compassion
for self and others, and a life worth living! You are invited to share your insights, questions, and requests
for future articles.
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Fresh Perspectives |
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The Heart’s Longing
An excerpt from Padme’s book, Let’s Not Call It Meditation: Practical Guidance for People who Think They Can’t Sit Still and Quiet the Mind, available online in February ’06.
Our heart’s longing is essential food for our spiritual growth. We can look at other living organisms, like flowers, and see that don’t long for anything. They grow, blossom, and die, nothing more. They do not have mistaken beliefs which get in the way of experiencing their intrinsic wholeness.Flowers do not experience confusion and do not have to surrender to something beyond their understanding. In fact, flowers point to the simplicity of our being enough, just as we are. So, how does our longing fit into developing more awareness? First, the mind must at least be open a crack to notice the heart’s longing. Although this longing is always available, we can be completely closed off from it. We need to understand the possibility that we can live with less suffering and confusion. Indeed, we must understand that we can grow. Our eyes must at least be open a little bit. Once we understand that we can change, we can develop the skills necessary to change. Then, we can welcome longing into our life, and open the way for our spiritual development.
Usually, our experiences of longing come and go unrecognized. We hear an inspiring story or beautiful words, feel better for a moment, and then return to the status quo. Reading a self-help article may give us a temporary inkling of our possibility for growth. When that inkling becomes stronger, and we stay open, curiosity may be aroused. Activated curiosity about our present condition becomes the natural expression of our longing for wholeness. Then our curiosity can be directed towards the nature of our painful situation and the possibility for growth.
Continue reading about our heart's longing
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An Invitation |
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 Is it a fit?
You now have a free opportunity to find out if Polishing Presence will work for you. Each session is one and a quarter hours, once/week for three weeks. You can a find a full vision statement for Polishing Presence on Padme's website in the articles listing. Entitled, What is Polishing Presence?, the article should answer most questions you might have. However, the only way to truly find out what Polishing Presence can mean for you, is to join the group and experience it.
This may be just what you need to connect with other people who want to grow in awareness and are open to sharing the journey.
Contact Padme soon if you want to check it out on Monday evening, January 23 at 5:45-7pm at Padme's home in Penfield. Padme's office is small and will hold a limited number of chairs comfortably. Two people have signed up already. We're aiming for at least five to make it happen. Another possible time is Friday, January 27 at 10:45-11am. One person has expressed interest in that group.
Guided Meditation on Compassion
On February 13th at 7-9pm at Rochester InfoCourses, 1150 University Ave, Rochester. I will be offering guided meditation on compassion to honor of a higher expression of love than our commercial culture usually calls us to on Valentine's Day. Offerings of non-perishable food items and gently used clothing will go to the Alternatives for Battered Women (ABW).
Meditation CDs
If you haven't yet explored Nina's meditation CDs, you can read about them, listen to audio samples, and buy them at www.healingwithawareness.com/cds.htm.
Audio Talks
Listen to one minute talks reminding us about awareness in everyday life. Take a minute and use the side bar to find them.
Group Meditation
Monday evening meditation and discussion sessions have been discontinued at Padme's home in Penfield.Please consider joining Padme at the Center for Health and Well-Being if you are interested in finding guidance and support for a daily meditation practice.She'll be teaching and offering guidance on Wednesday evenings beginning January 25th, 7:45-8:45pm. You'll find information about Meditation for Peaceful Living, listed on the upper left-hand corner of the Polishing Presence page.
Individual Meditation Instruction and Guidance
By appointment. Donations only.
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