Open Hearted and Engaged

Am I going to practice peace or am I going to war?

“I doThe Work that Reconnects so that when things fall apart, we won’t turn on each other. ” Joanna Macy

“The central question is not how we avoid uncertainty and fear but how we relate to discomfort. Every day we could ask ourselves: Am I going to add to the aggression in the world? Am I going to practice peace or am I going to war?” Pema Chodron

“The only answer to all tragic events in human history and future is that all violence (economic, religious, political) must be stopped individually, starting from individual minds. From this moment forward, examine the seeds of violence in your mind.” Swami Veda Bharati

This is a big ask! We might object that these people are more advanced. This isn’t possible for regular people. It’s hard enough to practice regulating our nervous system, work and take care of our responsibilities, nurture relationships, and to maybe find some time for fun and creativity.

Let’s start where we are now. Not the hopeless assessment of your inner critic, not the fairy tale view through rose colored glasses, and not the deep denial of overwhelm. If you are reading this, you are already passionate and willing. You are able to more easily regulate your nervous system and value an adult…