Betsy Loeb

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Viewing 15 posts - 16 through 30 (of 82 total)
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  • in reply to: Week 5 Essay #82132
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Sue Ellen,
    Yes…tax time. So complicated! I appreciate how much you delved into where are your investments? And, where and how you spend your money. I know nothing about living in Alaska but it seems that there is an added challenge there.
    Best to you as you sort through all this. And, I hope you’ll be gentle with yourself and see so much of this is a life long process.

    in reply to: Week 5 Essay #82131
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Tracy,
    Oh, my! You are experiencing a lot of hard stuff!! In the midst of all of this, I wish you gentleness and self-care and speedy healing.
    Betsy

    in reply to: Week 5 Essay #82130
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    For me, “right intention” is a big challenge. However, it’s hard to separate it from “right view”. Somehow “right intention” seems endless given that it aligns with “right view”. Do I really behave in a way that deeply appreciates the ever-changing, fragility of life? When I interact with others, do I have that intention to appreciate who they are and that our lives together are fleeting? I don’t think I do. I assume that I will see my loved ones tomorrow (they’ll be here forever and so will I.)
    I think in order to grasp the fleeting nature of life, I’d be much more appreciative of the little things in life and less focused to getting what I want.
    As a grandmother who LOVES dearly my 3 grandsons, do my intentions with them reflect the preciousness of their human birth? I think so. However, I can also be “assuming” that our relationships will be forever.
    Thank you for reading this.
    Betsy

    in reply to: Week 4 Essay #81945
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    For me the 4 Reminders seen so sharp for me in 2 areas (as others have mentioned).
    As an elder, I grapple with this stage. I have a mixture of feelings: appreciation for my good health, fear of impermanence and that too soon I’ll die and fear of what that aging and dying experience will be (will I be disabled, lose my memory, be in pain, etc. etc…). Currently, on good days I’m enjoying the luxury of being capable physically, mentally & emotionally to connect with family, friends and this Sangha.
    For me, embracing this stage with others would be so beneficial as the Sangha has been so beneficial in its connecting to many life experiences.

    The other arena is the political destruction of our “fledgling” Democracy. Again, I’ve been very privileged in my life and I know for too many others hardships have been for them their entire life. I worry and fear for everyone…most certainly my children & grandchildren. The future is unknown, of course, the answers are yet to be revealed and I’m grateful for our discussions in the OHP.

    in reply to: Week 4 Essay #81944
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Anna, So much of what you express resonates with me, too. The political upheaval is beyond what I believed would ever happen. And, so as you state from a Buddhist perspective
    “a Buddhist sense of uncertainty, of coming to terms with the fact that we don’t know what will happen and that there’s maybe room for us to intervene.”

    “you act the way in which you would like all of society to act – thereby “prefiguring” (anticipating, trying out) how it might be in a better future.” This reminds me of “Be the change you’d like to see in the world.” by Gandhi. It feels like the times are asking that of me/us.

    Thank you for your reflections. Betsy

    in reply to: Week 4 Essay #81943
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Sue Ellen, Your essay is beautifully written, I feel the emotions and the sense of connection that you have with your husband and the clarity of your own self-reflection. I, too, am an elder and find the quote, “Getting older is not for sissies” reflects my feelings. Best to you and your family. Betsy

    in reply to: Week 3 Essay #81826
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Amy,
    What an intimate “conversation” with Thich Hat Hans. Your words reflect your heart-felt desires to mix your mind with his. To hold his teachings in your heart, to guide you on your path. Your “do you feel hopeful?” is my question, too. And, what a loving response: “sweet one,….and will ever be.” Thank you for your insights through your writing.

    in reply to: Week 3 Essay #81825
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Sue Ellen,
    What a beautiful and powerful “conversation” with your grandfather. I never knew my grandparents (they died before I was born) so imagining how valuable your time was with him is so lovely. And, your words of description of his teachings “debris field after a shipwreck” and “The ship was no more, but the shore was still there, the water cleared.” are all so poetic, beautiful and firmly held in your heart. Thank you for sharing your grandfather with me.

    in reply to: Week 3 Essay #81744
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    My desired conversation with Pema Chodron.
    Me: Hello, Pema. There are so many things that I’d like to say to you; but I want to keep this brief to respect your time. It’s such an honor to be in your presence. You are revered by 1,000 of people all over the world who live in a multitude of circumstances and are of so many ages and yet I believe you have been able to touch each persons’ heart. What is your secret?
    Pema: Betsy, I have no secret. Somehow the causes and conditions (and they haven’t all been happy ones) have come together for that to have occurred. I hold the 3 Jewels (the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha) as the gateway on my path and as a commitment to making a positive difference for others.

    Me: Pema, when I first connected with you through one of your books, When Things Fall Apart” I was in the midst of a divorce from my husband of almost 20 years. I learned that we had many things in common: you and I both school teachers, your husband had suddenly asked for a divorce and you are a mother as am I. How is it that you didn’t just give up?
    Pema: I wish I knew the answer to that question. Somehow I had seen how trying quick fix ways weren’t lasting. I didn’t buy the approach of escapism or of self-help techniques. I was fortunate to connect with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. It is with his guidance, his teachings that I began my path. Sitting meditation practice I learned was essential for discovering my mind, to uncovering my neuroses and for taking these teachings into my life.

    Me: Pema, I’ve been practicing for over 15 years! And, I’m still me. How long does it take to feel less anxious, fearful, self-judging, and inconsequential? Not that I feel these all the time, but when I do, I feel my heart harden towards myself (and sometimes others).
    Pema: Oh, you’re human! The mind produces such thoughts that trigger complementary feelings. These are the gateways to compassion. Your link to others who have had similar experiences. Also, “out of nowhere, we stop struggling and relax. We stop talking to ourselves and come back to the freshness of the present moment. This “evolves gradually, patiently, over time.” How long? “I would say it takes the rest of our lives.”

    Me: Pema, I believe you’re now 88 years old. Congratulations, and may you continue to live a long life and be of benefit to many in this world. I understand that you have many physical ailments and many responsibilities. And, yet you have such a wonderful sense of humor. How do you keep that sense of joy and laughter so ever present?
    Pema: One thing I’d say is that Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche had a great sense of humor and maybe I integrated that into my heart. He would often say, “Lighten up!” I don’t know about you, but I do feel my heart open wider when I lighten up, when I laugh or smile, when I appreciate that we are all humans and are on this path together. When I relax.

    Me: Thank you, Pema, for your wisdom, your laughter and supporting me on my path.

    • This reply was modified 4 months, 4 weeks ago by Betsy Loeb.
    in reply to: Week 2 Essay #81595
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Lacey,
    I appreciate your comment “connect ritual to shrine to meditation and back”. I hadn’t thought of it in that way, but indeed it’s a great thing to ponder.
    I also find your comment that a shrine “naturally started to happen on my old stove” so delightful. I’m imagining in your “house of chaos” as you describe that this old stove says, “Don’t ignore me! I can help. I can be a beautiful shrine!”
    I do hope you’ll be brave enough to share.
    Best to you,
    Betsy

    in reply to: Week 2 Essay #81594
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Dear Sue Ellen,
    I’ll start with your last comment about the plant. This made me laugh. I can just imagine your relationship with this plant. I have a few plants that have particular meaning for me. They fill me with love.
    My shrine also contains objects that relate to family. These bring me great appreciation and joy as I imagine yours do, too.
    Thank you for your sharing.
    Betsy

    in reply to: Week 2 Essay #81544
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Making offerings: Currently I have one main shrine in a beautiful space that is a renovated attic. The shrine utilizes a large thread box with 2 drawers that belonged to my Dad and used in his store “Henry Loeb Co. Ltd”. It holds loving memories for me. On top I have a photo of Pema, a card from Susan 2 of my teachers who have made a huge difference in my life. I also have the following: tea candle, yarn bird that I made (mixes my love for yarn and nature), a pottery vase (was my mothers & holds her love), a wooden carved figure holding the world (from Ghana where I traveled with my younger daughter & I met the artist who signed it for me & represents my appreciation for people of the world & their art & love for my daughter), 2 little people made of Femo (older daughter made when she was a teenager, brings me joy & her love), small Buddha (given to me by my older daughter, provides me with reminder of wakefulness & my daughter’s love), Tibetan beads/Malas (originally belonged to a Sangha sister in Shambhala who is deceased, reminds me of my beginnings of meditation). It may seem like a lot of my shrine, but they all sit quite comfortably and spaciously!
    I have another little shrine that is new and I enjoy walking past it and gazing at it. The following are in my living room on an antique table: a hand-crafted, felted Grandmom (I feel so honored to have 3 young grandsons from my 2 daughters), 4 little crafts that 2 of them made & gave me (reminder of their sweetness), a Troll buddha (my oldest gave me & brings me her love & respect), a plastic alligator (same daughter gave me & reminds me of my lineage of my family growing up in Louisiana) and photos of all 3 of my grandsons (preciousness of human birth and their delightful ways). This is my grandmother shrine.
    Since Susan taught about request Blessings I do that in front of my main shrine. After I light the candle, I touch my right shoulder and thank my “teachers”: Pema, Susan, my long-time therapist Carol and a young friend Yoga instructor Anne. I touch my left shoulder and thank my daughters Jenny and Rachel, my grandsons Ezra, Ollie and Sam, my siblings Larry, Henry & Sarah Ann, my grandparents (who I never knew in person), my ancestors and my good friend of almost 50 years Ellyn.
    I also chant The Four Dharmas of Gampopa and In the Northwest Land of Uni…on a blooming Lotus flower…

    in reply to: Week 1 Essay #81522
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Intellectually I understand all 3 are encompassed in meditation practice. I feel the elements of the Hinayana in my sitting with whatever is…my various thoughts and feelings and not judging. Just staying with whatever my life is…not wanting another “now”. Mahayana: I feel my heart softening and opening as I wish to be of benefit to others. I’m delighted to have taken the Meditation Teacher Training course and look forward to leading the sitting in a few days. I see that as a direct way to hopefully be of benefit to others. Vajrayana: The more and more I take to heart Susan’s teachings, I feel myself letting go of needing “objective” reasoning and more opening to “not knowing”.

    in reply to: Welcome! Please introduce yourself. #81392
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Hello to All,
    My name is Betsy and I live in Columbus, OH. Most recently I took the Buddhism in EveryDay Life course and the Meditation Teacher Training. I’m looking forward to this course to build on these two wonderful courses. For me, having the opportunity to study with Susan and others is one of my joys in life. I feel the most sane. And, in a world of great insanity I feel whatever I can do to make a difference is so important.

    in reply to: Week Nine Essay #80159
    Betsy Loeb
    Participant

    Thank you, Jenn, for your kind words in your response. Betsy

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