secret notebooks • wild pages: How to Be Alone

Friday, August 20, 2010

How to Be Alone

I've seen this popping up on lots of blogs lately but it wasn't until this morning that I took the time to watch it. Really sweet.

9 comments:

Ruth said...: I'm SO glad you enjoyed this as much as I did!; August 20, 2010 10:06 AM
annell said...: To tell the truth I hate those little videos, I hate the way they stop and start. This did seem like a good one. It is something I think I have never learned. I am a hermit, and am always along in my studio. But to just go "out" and be lone is difficult for me. But I am learning and I hope there will be enough time to get this lesson.; August 20, 2010 10:53 AM
Karen L R said...: yes, sweet.; August 20, 2010 10:54 AM
Teri said...: So many of us feel that we have to be surrounded by people in order to matter. In my meditation class last night the teacher spoke about the fact that all we have is "I am". That's all we can be sure of, all that really matters. Everyone "outside" of us has an idea or a perception but does it hold the same meaning for me, for the "I am"? Great reminder her, M, about how important it is to like yourself FIRST. Be with yourself, be satisfied with what we have, and don't invalidate ourselves because someone else decides we do not matter as much to them. Thanks for this.; August 20, 2010 11:47 AM
Suz said...: This was a joy to watch
and she gives excellent advise
and asks that we open our minds
good one; August 20, 2010 12:03 PM
Valerianna said...: Lovely and definitely sweet. I've learned to do this... it took me a while, at first, but now I can do it all - though, I must say going to a club alone to dance, well, maybe not.; August 20, 2010 7:02 PM
sukipoet said...: lovely. she has a sweet voice and i like the animation and concepts.; August 20, 2010 7:45 PM
Annotated Margins said...: It is a wonderful poem, and I enjoyed it. I wonder though, she didn't do it alone.

(I'm one of those people who feels more lonely in the midst of people. All by myself, I feel pretty good.); August 27, 2010 1:05 AM
magpie said...: i love how this
allows me to admit
to myself
how happy i am
alone.; August 27, 2010 8:37 PM

Meditation on Affliction

Assailed by afflictions, we discover dharma and find the way to liberation. Thank you, evil forces!

When sorrows invade the mind, we discover dharma and find lasting happiness. Thank you, sorrows!

Through harm caused by spirits we discover dharma and find fearlessness. Thank you, ghosts and demons!

Through people's hate we discover dharma and find benefits and happiness. Thank you, those who hate us!

Through cruel adversity, we discover dharma and find the unchanging way. Thank you, adversity!

Through being impelled to by others, we discover dharma and find the essential meaning. Thank you, all who drive us on!

We dedicate our merit to you all, to repay your kindness.

— Gyalwa Longchenpa

Who Says Words With My Mouth?

All day I think about it, then at night I say it.
Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing?
I have no idea.
My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that,
and I intend to end up there.

This drunkenness began in some other tavern.
When I get back around to that place,
I'll be completely sober. Meanwhile,
I'm like a bird from another continent, sitting in this aviary.
The day is coming when I fly off,
but who is it now in my ear who hears my voice?
Who says words with my mouth?

Who looks out with my eyes? What is the soul?
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.

This poetry, I never know what I'm going to say.
I don't plan it.
When I'm outside the saying of it,
I get very quiet and rarely speak at all.

— Rumi

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

Friday, August 20, 2010

How to Be Alone

9 comments:

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