Helene Melancon
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Hello Suzie Amelia,
Reading your text made me feel so at home and on familiar ground!
I recognized myself with joy in your devotion to dance, which has been my profession for over 30 years, to walks in the forest, to your morning meditation, to your candlelight ritual, and also to that which is greater than oneself. As I read your text, I felt that it helped me refine and clarify certain aspects of devotion. Thank you for pointing out, with personal words, that devotion is a practice that cultivates what is truly important to oneself, what is meaningful, and through which one chooses to grow.Hello Kate,
The image of you “steering your own Dharma ship” resonated strongly with me and inspires me greatly. I recognized myself through it, a committed captain navigating the waters of her own unique and precious spiritual path. And I feel it reflects the responsibility and choice I have, for each moment, of what is meaningful. Thank you for sharing this beautiful illustration.This question on devotion, a rich word, full of meaning, got me thinking. When I was very young, in my larger family upbringing and at school, it carried weight because it was used to inculcate a form of submission to authority. As I grew older, I “learned to learn” to take responsibility for myself ! But because of that background, I am aware that the term devotion can still occasionally convey in me misunderstanding and questions. I need yet to learn more about the Buddhist traditional teachings on “guru devotion”practice, and try to place them in their historical context to better understand their significance beyond my own cultural sensitivity. Here I simply want to share about the inspiring experiences I’ve known from some teachers I’ve had the good fortune to meet.
These are connections to dharma (and before, dance) teachers, who lit a flame of clarity in myself, of discipline, of commitment, of sincere enthusiasm, always with a respectful appreciation. Why? Because of the precision, the authenticity, the joy in their transmission of the teachings, and because of the source of strength and support I felt with them. Thanks to them I have learned to continue to be devoted to growing faith, confidence, trust in my practice. And to be devoted to what is greater than oneself. Like to the surge of love towards my two daughters, like to the infinity of silence when I’m meditating, like to the connection with nature and its preservation and beauty, I continue to feel and develop dedication in my life, not the one I acquired as a child out of duty, but the one my heart sings with !Hi everyone, so nice to read you all! My name is Hélène, I am French-Canadian and I live in Montreal,Canada. For 30 years, I taught dance alongside my career as a performer for which I had a great passion, in dance companies and programs, at University of Quebec in Montreal and for Le Cirque du Soleil. Dance has taught me to practice listening and be in the present moment.
Meditation has also been a part of my life for 15+ years. It has evolved to become an integral and cherished part of it. Participating more and more in structured study programs with retreats and learning the fundamental teachings of the Buddha, I was impressed by their capacity to embrace suffering, my own and the suffering of others. I am so grateful for the impact this practice has had on my path! Secretly wishing one day to take part in a meditation teacher training course, I know today that this adventure is consistent with my life, with my background as a dance artist and teacher, and with the central place I have now given to meditation. I look forward to learning and sharing with all of you here !