Saturday, June 02, 2007
Home Retreat
Hi All - News from a steamy and yet somehow still worth it New York City....Peter and I will spend this weekend in the comfort of our air-conditioned apartment, Peter finishing up work for the seemingly ever-present Inductis, me fulfilling my committment to myself to meditate solidly for several hours over these two days. At least two hours of silent meditation each day, part of it being walking meditation....then a bit of gym work...I feel this is a time for me to shape up , both physically and spiritually, and it feels good to have this time in which to enjoy these possibilities.
My current sudent-teaching set-up is so ideal : I get to teach who I want to teach , when I want to teach them...thus, my home has once again become my studio, and both student and teacher are quite comfortable in hsi arrangement. I have explored the possibility of renting a studion across Boradway at the Yoga Studio i go to...they have great space for very little money per hour and room for my Grad Class project, so if the group needs it, i will rent there, and still be within my "home" turf. Not to have go Mid- or Down-town in this heat is wonderful...and my home is so very comfortable. Close to the Meditation Room I am in so much these days.
Speaking of the Buddhism which continues to not only intrigue me but enrich my daily life, Petr and I went with our friend Ken Kliban to hear the Nepalese nuns from Nagi Gompa Abbey in their first US concert ...they were singing last night at the Rubin Museum down on 17th Street and we were part of their premier audience...it was an unusual and quietly stirring event: three diminuitive nuns from the Abbey, in maroon, red and gold traditional clothing, quietly sharing with us their chanting tradition, then, in the 2nd half of the program, dancing for us as well...it was meditation personified, every moment. Calming, thought provoking and fascinating in its repetitive stillness and precision....simple...beautiful...West was meeting East in a loving, curious hour or two of life. The Rubin has many programs that educate and enlighten in this way....I was very glad we went. I have been to several programs there in the past month and each time I go, I am glad. On Monday the 25th of this month, we three shall also go to hear Sharon Salzburg (who i saw last night and gave a loving hug to) and Sylvia Boorstein at the JCC on Amsterdam Avenue....two hours of talk about how to be compassioante and loving in an emergency world of today...I am looking forward to that...since I am a fan of both of these Western Buddhist (Jewish) women....maybe I will get to ask my question: why is that that so many modern American Jews are attracted to Buddhism? This is a curiosity to me, but a welcome one, since I am part of this phenomenon.
Paul and Steve are up at the House this weekend with Steve's dear parents, since they arrived in town for Steve's daughter's (Katie's) College Graduation on Friday....a proud thing, a wonderful event. So, Steve is hosting the family Upstate and (I am sure) cooking wonderful meals and creating some important memories. I'm glad Paul is part of this, which is consistent with all the wonderful things Steve has brought into his life...into our lives , really. He has such happy, creative and forward-looking energies, combined with a care-giving nature, generous and patient. Such a caring man.
Well, time to meditate....a calm and investigative two-hours in our Meditation Room, cool and quiet. Love to all.
My current sudent-teaching set-up is so ideal : I get to teach who I want to teach , when I want to teach them...thus, my home has once again become my studio, and both student and teacher are quite comfortable in hsi arrangement. I have explored the possibility of renting a studion across Boradway at the Yoga Studio i go to...they have great space for very little money per hour and room for my Grad Class project, so if the group needs it, i will rent there, and still be within my "home" turf. Not to have go Mid- or Down-town in this heat is wonderful...and my home is so very comfortable. Close to the Meditation Room I am in so much these days.
Speaking of the Buddhism which continues to not only intrigue me but enrich my daily life, Petr and I went with our friend Ken Kliban to hear the Nepalese nuns from Nagi Gompa Abbey in their first US concert ...they were singing last night at the Rubin Museum down on 17th Street and we were part of their premier audience...it was an unusual and quietly stirring event: three diminuitive nuns from the Abbey, in maroon, red and gold traditional clothing, quietly sharing with us their chanting tradition, then, in the 2nd half of the program, dancing for us as well...it was meditation personified, every moment. Calming, thought provoking and fascinating in its repetitive stillness and precision....simple...beautiful...West was meeting East in a loving, curious hour or two of life. The Rubin has many programs that educate and enlighten in this way....I was very glad we went. I have been to several programs there in the past month and each time I go, I am glad. On Monday the 25th of this month, we three shall also go to hear Sharon Salzburg (who i saw last night and gave a loving hug to) and Sylvia Boorstein at the JCC on Amsterdam Avenue....two hours of talk about how to be compassioante and loving in an emergency world of today...I am looking forward to that...since I am a fan of both of these Western Buddhist (Jewish) women....maybe I will get to ask my question: why is that that so many modern American Jews are attracted to Buddhism? This is a curiosity to me, but a welcome one, since I am part of this phenomenon.
Paul and Steve are up at the House this weekend with Steve's dear parents, since they arrived in town for Steve's daughter's (Katie's) College Graduation on Friday....a proud thing, a wonderful event. So, Steve is hosting the family Upstate and (I am sure) cooking wonderful meals and creating some important memories. I'm glad Paul is part of this, which is consistent with all the wonderful things Steve has brought into his life...into our lives , really. He has such happy, creative and forward-looking energies, combined with a care-giving nature, generous and patient. Such a caring man.
Well, time to meditate....a calm and investigative two-hours in our Meditation Room, cool and quiet. Love to all.
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