I would also LOVE a meditation via email. I have so many things to thank you for, not the least of which is that I now begin singing that Muppet song to myself whenever I hear the word phenomena. ❤️
I’m very grateful for the reminders about ritual, wonder, and mystery— and the centering of feminist power, Blackness, Love, and all that is Elemental. Loving the new Cosmic Clowns podcast, love the great role modeling you do when you listen to your body and the universe and pull back or set some boundaries—- just thank you.
Thank you as always for your generous wisdom. And any story that includes Dionne Warwick's wisdom is appreciated. As for getting your meditation - if it can't be delivered by turtle dove, than either email or substack is fine.
Yes please I would also love a First Quarter Moon meditation by email. Thank you so much dear beloved teacher today’s post especially went really deep for me. Loving the Blackness, loving the feminist,
loving the ritual, loving the elements both outside and inside the apartment. You reminded me to love so much of myself (not Black, but Indigenous) …..
yes yes yes, thank you for speaking some truth about the limitations of (some/all) (dharma) frames. It was helpful for me to read what you wrote about no longer calling yourself a dharma teacher. frames can be helpful and supportive and/or they can be imprisoning. many religious-tradition spaces have boxes/structures that are too small, that use the frames in ways that limit rather than ground and support infinite unfolding and infinite in-folding of embodied wisdom streams. and of course those religious communal spaces, those sangha bodies, are conditioned by trauma/fear patterning and are acting that out. wishing more people had the wherewithal to be real about that and address it skillfully. thanks for being one of them.
Thanks for the supportive reflection Kri. I’m practicing honesty without takedown. Trying to speak from my own experience but also name facts and truths as I see them. Many blessings to you. xo
Sebene! Every word of this, I could quote it all back to you!
I really appreciate your openness here: "But, although I practiced in a way that was much less stripped down than most insight meditation spaces, including chanting, ritual and other sacred forms, I still felt constricted."
I once wrestled with being an artist & following Buddhism - how to reconcile the raw humanness of what art gifts us with the idealism of Buddhist precepts; I remember my little brother reading Thich Nhat Hanh at age 13 & asking me, "But wait, why can't I listen to sad music?" because Nhat Hanh suggested it was bad for youth to do so. But he loved Elliot Smith, who made him feel less alone.
And art has that power, doesn't it? Un-alone-ing us. Letting the sadness of another in can actually be a balm. Anywhozy, I sometimes think the most Buddhist sentence ever uttered was when Buddha said something akin to, "These are my experiences, but don't believe me, discover for yourself." Discovering for ourselves, according to your particular identities & longings & predilections is earthy & real. Your missive reminds me to continually be honest & keep discovering. Thank you!
Thank you for this thoughtful sharing Shira. It's such a koan. The buddhadharma is so uniue and powerful in its understanding of the human heart-mind. I think unparalleled. And the form really does not serve my full flourishing. To deepen my practice I kinda had to go all in but to continue my practices, I need to open up to what really moves me. I know there's a lot in there for me about the body and the erotic and pleasure and all their associations with the feminine and femmes. Mostly I feel I just need to dance more. Big love to you!
I immediately love anyone who writes the word, “anywhosy!” I also believe that independent investigation of truth is at the root. Thank you for sharing. I will think of your profound brother and the fact that sometimes sad music (any art) makes us feel less alone!
Thanks for this, Valerie! "Independent investigation of truth is at the root..." is a very concise way of putting this - I feel this reframing toward adventure in my bones. Also, my brother is a therapist now, a wonderful musician, & remains (groundingly) profound.
Yes to the email! Also I was on a zoom dharma retreat during the pandemic and we had a birthday dance party for a very special teacher turning 70 and it was the joy we all needed. The most beautiful unfolding of the body and heart and mind. Little squares on the screen of people dancing in their homes all over the country, maybe world. Feeling so warm and joyful just bringing it to mind! More dancing on retreat please 💜🎉
Love a good dharma dance party! YES! And I wish dance (and singing) were integrated into the general practice (and just to acknowledge that some teachers do this…). Always appreciate hearing from you Ann. Much love. xo
I think I am one of a few (if any) who would like to see the first quarter moon meditation on your Substack. I get so many emails…..too many. However, I will look for emails from you specifically if they are to be provided to us via email only. I also love to listen to you read your essays. Thank you for all you share and teach us. 💕
Whoa! I've been a dharma practitioner for just 10+ years but found I was backing off on the teachings, more the teachers, intuitively feeling the patriarchy. But this: "back when I was on social media I started following a white woman. . .she no longer studies under anyone [solely] who is also not a mother. . ." my light went off. YES! Perhaps I would find the lineage and teachings more credible, encompassing, and wise if they also came from parents, particularly mothers responsible for the 360 degree care of feeding and caring for the planet's progeny. Thank you for this deep resonating insight. Myoko. (And yes, I like the email reminders of a post.)
Glad this resonated Maureen. Yes, of course I’d long known the power of reflection and representation, but her declaration felt radical and like a permission slip I did not know I needed! Blessings to you. Xoxo
Yes, please to the email meditation. And this landed deeply : "As my devotion to astrology, tarot, magic, ancestral. practices, and other systems deepened, so too did my longing for a creative sacredness that could encompass all of me." My life long search (and apparently the path). Thank you Sebene, your thoughtful expressions always resonate deeply.
Your words are so very, very often a long exhale in me. Relief in the reminders, the freedom and permission and for your bold steps. I've been wanting to learn in person with you for many years, and I think this retreat in BC will finally be it. I felt tingly head to toe reading about it. And definitely yes to the meditation email!
Oh, thank you Elena for these kind words. And oh my goddess, that would be amazing! I hope you can make it and if not then, hopefully somewhere soon. Big love to you! xoxo
I, too, would love to practice in person with Sebene. For me, physical health and distance are both impediments. I am inspired by you seeing your opportunity!
I needed to see hear and absorb so much of this in this moment, Sebene. Thank you for your reflections of the sacredness of us. I’ve also been keenly aware recently that I’m missing black feminine teachers among my spiritual guides. IFOT is new to me. I’ll be researching. Love and light 🫶🏾
Yes please! I would love to receive a First Quarter meditation by email! So glad to have your presence in my life more often - hopefully that means you are feeling better🥰
I would also LOVE a meditation via email. I have so many things to thank you for, not the least of which is that I now begin singing that Muppet song to myself whenever I hear the word phenomena. ❤️
I’m very grateful for the reminders about ritual, wonder, and mystery— and the centering of feminist power, Blackness, Love, and all that is Elemental. Loving the new Cosmic Clowns podcast, love the great role modeling you do when you listen to your body and the universe and pull back or set some boundaries—- just thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for all the positive feedback Michelle. I feel lifted! And, oh my goddess, pheno-mena! That’s brilliant! Big love to you. xox
Thank you as always for your generous wisdom. And any story that includes Dionne Warwick's wisdom is appreciated. As for getting your meditation - if it can't be delivered by turtle dove, than either email or substack is fine.
She’s such a Queen, that doc is great! And turtle dove it is! 🤪
Yes please I would also love a First Quarter Moon meditation by email. Thank you so much dear beloved teacher today’s post especially went really deep for me. Loving the Blackness, loving the feminist,
loving the ritual, loving the elements both outside and inside the apartment. You reminded me to love so much of myself (not Black, but Indigenous) …..
Thank you Joyoti! And, yes, let’s love love love ourselves! Thanks for the reminder. xox
yes yes yes, thank you for speaking some truth about the limitations of (some/all) (dharma) frames. It was helpful for me to read what you wrote about no longer calling yourself a dharma teacher. frames can be helpful and supportive and/or they can be imprisoning. many religious-tradition spaces have boxes/structures that are too small, that use the frames in ways that limit rather than ground and support infinite unfolding and infinite in-folding of embodied wisdom streams. and of course those religious communal spaces, those sangha bodies, are conditioned by trauma/fear patterning and are acting that out. wishing more people had the wherewithal to be real about that and address it skillfully. thanks for being one of them.
Thanks for the supportive reflection Kri. I’m practicing honesty without takedown. Trying to speak from my own experience but also name facts and truths as I see them. Many blessings to you. xo
Sebene! Every word of this, I could quote it all back to you!
I really appreciate your openness here: "But, although I practiced in a way that was much less stripped down than most insight meditation spaces, including chanting, ritual and other sacred forms, I still felt constricted."
I once wrestled with being an artist & following Buddhism - how to reconcile the raw humanness of what art gifts us with the idealism of Buddhist precepts; I remember my little brother reading Thich Nhat Hanh at age 13 & asking me, "But wait, why can't I listen to sad music?" because Nhat Hanh suggested it was bad for youth to do so. But he loved Elliot Smith, who made him feel less alone.
And art has that power, doesn't it? Un-alone-ing us. Letting the sadness of another in can actually be a balm. Anywhozy, I sometimes think the most Buddhist sentence ever uttered was when Buddha said something akin to, "These are my experiences, but don't believe me, discover for yourself." Discovering for ourselves, according to your particular identities & longings & predilections is earthy & real. Your missive reminds me to continually be honest & keep discovering. Thank you!
Thank you for this thoughtful sharing Shira. It's such a koan. The buddhadharma is so uniue and powerful in its understanding of the human heart-mind. I think unparalleled. And the form really does not serve my full flourishing. To deepen my practice I kinda had to go all in but to continue my practices, I need to open up to what really moves me. I know there's a lot in there for me about the body and the erotic and pleasure and all their associations with the feminine and femmes. Mostly I feel I just need to dance more. Big love to you!
What an enriching response to this essay by Shira that is masquerading as a comment! Thank you 🙏
Hi Shira,
I immediately love anyone who writes the word, “anywhosy!” I also believe that independent investigation of truth is at the root. Thank you for sharing. I will think of your profound brother and the fact that sometimes sad music (any art) makes us feel less alone!
Thanks for this, Valerie! "Independent investigation of truth is at the root..." is a very concise way of putting this - I feel this reframing toward adventure in my bones. Also, my brother is a therapist now, a wonderful musician, & remains (groundingly) profound.
Me too for the meditation by mail.
Thank you.
Yes to the email! Also I was on a zoom dharma retreat during the pandemic and we had a birthday dance party for a very special teacher turning 70 and it was the joy we all needed. The most beautiful unfolding of the body and heart and mind. Little squares on the screen of people dancing in their homes all over the country, maybe world. Feeling so warm and joyful just bringing it to mind! More dancing on retreat please 💜🎉
Love a good dharma dance party! YES! And I wish dance (and singing) were integrated into the general practice (and just to acknowledge that some teachers do this…). Always appreciate hearing from you Ann. Much love. xo
I think I am one of a few (if any) who would like to see the first quarter moon meditation on your Substack. I get so many emails…..too many. However, I will look for emails from you specifically if they are to be provided to us via email only. I also love to listen to you read your essays. Thank you for all you share and teach us. 💕
Thanks Susan. Yes, the emails are winning but I won’t go more than once a week! xox
Whoa! I've been a dharma practitioner for just 10+ years but found I was backing off on the teachings, more the teachers, intuitively feeling the patriarchy. But this: "back when I was on social media I started following a white woman. . .she no longer studies under anyone [solely] who is also not a mother. . ." my light went off. YES! Perhaps I would find the lineage and teachings more credible, encompassing, and wise if they also came from parents, particularly mothers responsible for the 360 degree care of feeding and caring for the planet's progeny. Thank you for this deep resonating insight. Myoko. (And yes, I like the email reminders of a post.)
Glad this resonated Maureen. Yes, of course I’d long known the power of reflection and representation, but her declaration felt radical and like a permission slip I did not know I needed! Blessings to you. Xoxo
Yes, please to the email meditation. And this landed deeply : "As my devotion to astrology, tarot, magic, ancestral. practices, and other systems deepened, so too did my longing for a creative sacredness that could encompass all of me." My life long search (and apparently the path). Thank you Sebene, your thoughtful expressions always resonate deeply.
Thanks Mary.
Your words are so very, very often a long exhale in me. Relief in the reminders, the freedom and permission and for your bold steps. I've been wanting to learn in person with you for many years, and I think this retreat in BC will finally be it. I felt tingly head to toe reading about it. And definitely yes to the meditation email!
Oh, thank you Elena for these kind words. And oh my goddess, that would be amazing! I hope you can make it and if not then, hopefully somewhere soon. Big love to you! xoxo
I, too, would love to practice in person with Sebene. For me, physical health and distance are both impediments. I am inspired by you seeing your opportunity!
Yes to emails, Yes to Substack, as convoluted as it can be, yes to all means of receiving those heartfelt meditations. YES!
I needed to see hear and absorb so much of this in this moment, Sebene. Thank you for your reflections of the sacredness of us. I’ve also been keenly aware recently that I’m missing black feminine teachers among my spiritual guides. IFOT is new to me. I’ll be researching. Love and light 🫶🏾
I love that you're not letting any one set of beliefs to hinder you. I always enjoy your writing.
Thanks Helen!
Yes please! I would love to receive a First Quarter meditation by email! So glad to have your presence in my life more often - hopefully that means you are feeling better🥰
Thank you Marion. Bit by bit, I am!
Thank you. I would love a mediation by email.
Colletta@charter.net