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This Monday June 6, Camille will facilitate. She shares:
My elderly parents have suffered a number of illnesses in the past couple years. Most from falls working in their garden.
I have spent much time going back and forth (they live about eight hours north) to help them as have my many siblings. One of my favorite things to do is to help with the garden; planting, watering, weeding and just digging in the dirt with my hands. Their soil is amazingly smooth and rich, a chocolate brown color, and so easy to work.
I have noticed recently that at times I felt angry at mother nature - as their work in the garden caused them many injuries. However, mostly I feel much happiness and try not to attach to how or where they were injured, and then think about watering my wholesome seeds of happiness and joy.
Most importantly, their garden has brought them so much joy and contentment and they have joyfully been able to share the fruits of their labor with all of us, our neighbors and many others. A loving practice that they received from their ancestors and they have passed to us.
There has been a lot of conflict in the last two years with my nine siblings regarding COVID, politics, and how we best protect our parents.
We are sometimes on opposite poles on how to protect our parents - the conversations sometimes felt toxic and I felt like I never wanted to talk to a couple of my brothers again.
As I was working in my parent's garden this past week I really tried to focus on watering my wholesome seeds of joy. I found myself taking to the plants (which I do often). I realized that this garden we so lovingly care for could be like our siblings. If I could look and listen to them like I do the plants in the garden, then perhaps we can water the good or wholesome seeds in each other as Thay teaches.
If I could allow those beautiful seeds to manifest in me and invite more love, understanding, compassion, and a smile, perhaps I can help my brothers find the same thing in themselves.
I had lots of opportunities this past week to practice bringing my wholesome seeds of compassion and understanding up from my store consciousness into my mind consciousness when one of my brothers also came home to help our parents. I had not talked with him for a couple months and greeted him with a hug and smile.
We began a long conversation about our kids, his garden, his bees, and much much more. It was a good couple days and I found that I didn't allow any negative seeds to manifest in my mind, but frequently invited the good seeds that brought more joy and happiness to manifest.
It doesn't always come easily for me to practice when there is much conflict - but with more work I try to allow the good seeds to grow bigger and bigger. My brother smiled and laughed much of the two days he was there, which I had not seen him do in a long time. Together we helped care for my dad, my mom, and of course watering the family garden.
I look forward to being with you on Monday night, and if any of the following questions resonate with you and it feels right, I would love for you to consider sharing.
- How have you invited your wholesome seeds to manifest?
- Have you recognized when unwholesome seeds (like anger) have manifested in you and how have you been able to not water them?
- How might your watering your wholesome seeds help others find joy or happiness?
with love,
Camille