Posts Tagged ‘Meditation’

19 Jan

Walking Monks with a Dog

Posted by DOGKISSES in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

The monk’s long walk from Texas to Washington, D.C. has been a breath of fresh air for many Americans to see, myself included. I must admit, their loyal companion dog, Aloka, captured a piece of my heart right away. The way she walks is with purpose and a prance. She reminds me of my girl, Bella, who is my own little Peace Keeper.

Peace-Dogs!

Below Image Link: https://share.google/S2mEbAMqAvlb8ycUr

Aloka is now recovering from recent surgery on her leg. A veterinarian practice in SC performed the operation as a gift. Rest is now part of her journey in the Walk for Peace.

Walk For Peace – Aloka: A Heart of Unwavering Loyalty

Shows Monk with dog, Aloka.

“Now, as we walk across America on our own journey for peace, we carry Aloka’s spirit with us. His unwavering presence reminds us that loyalty, devotion, and companionship are languages every heart speaks. Like Aloka chose to follow the sacred footsteps across India, we too can choose each day to walk beside what matters most—peace, mindfulness, love, compassion, and unity.”

“May you and all beings be well, happy, and at peace.”

Source: The Ancient Sacred Buddhist Scripture Stupas (https://dhammacetiya.com/Dhammacetiya).

We are now witness to widespread fear, suffering and an ongoing division within our own country. Turning on TV to watch the news is often too disturbing for many people to endure.

“I stopped listening to the news,” is a common phrase these days.

Seeing the monks for the first time on television surely caught my attention. I’ve been stuck at home a lot. The TV has been on more than usual for me. Ignoring news is not always easy. Mostly, every channel shows shock and violence. Headlines are enough to put fear in the mind and heart.

I’m not alone in wondering when or if our country will settle down. Will we ever find common ground again? This applies not only between political parties but also at our own dinner table, so to speak. I’m grateful that my son and I are on the same side because when you’re not, the space is wide.

Walking more than 2000 miles, the monks are spreading the message of peace in America. Peace. In America.

My first instinct when I learned about the Walk for Peace was to tell someone. I called my son. He said he saw some monks on YouTube. Later, we’d talk about the walk and what we understand it to mean. We both wish we could see them in person. I have a frozen shoulder, which hurts. Otherwise, I’d surely go celebrate this historical moment with others.

As I write, the monks are in my state, North Carolina. I’m listening to a speech one of the monks gave in High Point, NC, yesterday.

“Breathe in and breathe out,” I hear him say. “One. Breathe in. Two. Breathe out,” he continues.

The monk is talking about bringing the mind to the fresh moment. Counting the breathe helps train the mind, he tells us. Creating a path (to peace) for ourselves.

“There’s a light on the left side. A light on the right side,” he says, referring to thought patterns that pull on us.

“Reach to it (the light), ” the monk continues. “Try to find joy.”

Wow! Monks talking about the mind, chasing after thoughts and living in the present moment. Airing live across national television channels in the southern United States!

Hallelujah!

I’m personally grateful to the monks for their Walk of Peace. I will never forget them or the walk. I needed to see something positive and hopeful going on in our country. The monks are sharing with us a way to peace. I walk in spirit on this great journey!

Peace be with us.

with Love and Respect,

DOGKISSES.

26 Jul

Thank you for the Prayers

Posted by DOGKISSES in health, Mental healthcare, schizophrenia. Tagged: , , , , , .

Healing and HummingbirdIMAGE CREDIT:  Sarjana’s Medicine Wheel via Flickr

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for each prayer spoken, good thought and healing wishes for my son and I, along with the great amount of support many people have offered since my earlier post.

The days have been long and demanded my attention or I would have posted an earlier update.

My son is continuing to receive inpatient medical care.  His symptoms have lessened to some degree.  I am grateful for this, even though I understand that he’d rather not be in a hospital.  I wish he didn’t have to be in one, however,  I must have hope that his medical team will offer new choices and opportunities for his recovery in the community.

I’ve strayed from writing much about my son or his illness in my blog, mostly because I began to feel that I was crossing an invisible line of loyalty.   I don’t want to infringe upon his privacy nor betray his trust and the latter feels rather compromised.

I would most likely feel easier about sharing my concerns or feelings and his progress if his diagnosis was a more accepted, less stigmatized and certainly, a better understood illness or condition.

One thing I want to share is that after I asked for prayers, there has been an experience of Grace, even if fleeting or intermittent. 

Grace is the moments when peace has flooded my heart and the nights when sleep came after my mind had gone round and round, thinking of all that is out of my control.

Grace is also the moments I’ve had with my son when I had more to offer than anxiety, worry or sadness.

My son and I used to meditate together when he was a child.  He knows what I speak of when I talk about an inner peace.  He used to call our meditations going to his happy place. 

He didn’t feel like doing a meditation together during a recent visit when I suggested it, but he called me afterwards to tell me he’d like to try the next time he sees me.

I believe the moments of Grace came from your prayers and healing wishes, along with a willingness I have also felt, to be open and receive them.

Again, I am most grateful for your generous support. 

Thank you!

Michelle.

“Keep quiet, undisturbed, and the wisdom and the power will come on their own….. Abandon all desires, keep your mind silent and you shall discover….. Desirelessness is the highest bliss.”
~I Am That Nisargadatta Maharaj

As always, thank you for visiting Dogkisses’s Blog.