Lilly Green
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hi Lisa – I can relate to this concern and I appreciate you sharing the perspective that “right intention” has been helpful. I love the idea of “planting seeds” that have the potential to grow and blossom over time. I also agree that the practice of mindfulness has helped me to show up for my kid and others in different ways and try to focus on being present even when things get messy and really difficult.
When I think about one of the “big concerns” in my life – for example I think about the inequity in American society, specifically the massive financial income distribution and how many people are living with huge amounts of debt, paycheck to paycheck and/or are unhoused and trying to survive. I live in a community and work in an environment where I am regularly reminded of the experiences and life outcomes that correlate with poverty. Compared to myself, my family, and many of my friends are living rather comfortably, and I take that for granted all the time (along with many parts of my life). When I hold those thoughts long enough, the emotions and feelings are very uncomfortable and difficult to rationalize. The Four Noble Truths are a framework that can give some perspective, but I still think that suffering is relative. The step on the 8-fold path that I am trying to connect here is the “right view” and how the middle way is a guiding light through much of the suffering we all experience. While I believe this to be true, even with this specific concern of mine, I still can’t articulate it, but maybe it is a beginning.
Melanie – I appreciated what you shared about your connection to your family lineage full of feminine energy, specifically your grandmothers, mother and daughters. I can relate and I’m grateful to be close to my mom and several aunts. I also feel like I’m becoming more and more like my mom as I get older. I also love that you have a candle that aligns with your enneagram number… so good! – Lilly
Melanie – I appreciated what you shared about your connection to your family lineage full of feminine energy, specifically your grandmothers, mother and daughters. I can relate and I’m grateful to be close to my mom and several aunts. I also feel like I’m becoming more and more like my mom as I get older. I also love that you have a candle that aligns with your enneagram number… so good! – Lilly
When I think of my lineage I think of members of my family, both by birth and chosen family, who have made a profound impact on my life. I also think of teachers who have inspired me by their, words, thoughts, ideas, and creations. All of these people, and a few sacred animals, have informed how I see the world and how I try to move through it on a daily basis. Regarding a shrine, I have not had a consistent place to sit for meditation in a long time. My home is relatively small and many spaces are now full of my son’s books and toys. However, in preparation for this class my partner cleared a space for me in a shared room and I have been uplifting it with items that hold meaning to me. I have a plan in a pot decorated by my mom, a photograph of the Buddha in the stupa at the Drala Mountain Center, a card that holds a letter written by my brother, a piece of art that signifies love, and a candle with a lovely smell.
Hello – My name is Lilly and I live in Berkeley, California. I have been practicing meditation and studying Buddhism for around 15 years and connected with the Open Heart Project for the past 5 years or so. Over the past few years, I have been focused on raising my young son and my work as a teacher of young children. I have been feeling disconnected from the practices and community, and I see this class is an opportunity to reconnect with a daily meditation practice and the teachings I hold true. I’m grateful to be here!
