August 2020
New BCF Section on Website
Thanks to the website skills of Heather Glenn, we now have a place to post programs that BCF have created for Boundless Compassion. Please be sure to go to the site and check out what is available.
You’ll find excellent resources to use either directly or to adapt for your own programs. A lot of new seeds are being planted and I hope that any of you who are developing retreats, seminars, etc. will consider having those resources posted. When you’re ready to do so, please send them to me. And thank you to the BCF who have generously contributed for the current posting. (I’ve listed their names next to the contributions.)
Here is how you can locate the new files:
Boundless Compassion Facilitators, click on this and log in.
Go to: BCF Resourcesclick on this; it takes you to: BCF Programs.
You will find the following:
Contemplative Living (Rick Klein)
BC Retreat Outline and Notes
Intro to BC Quotes and Notes
Song Lyrics for BC Retreat
Wave Particle Handout
Power Point for Week 6 (Mary Dean Pfahler)
Various Programs (Ken Larson)
Compassion and the Enneagram
Compassion @ the Intersection
New Year Reflection
Reflection on Interfaith
Retreats
Model for a Writing Retreat(Bobbi Bussan)
Icebreakers for Virtual Retreats(Bobbi Bussan and Mickey Reed)
Please Remember (in your lovingkindness intentions)
Donna Mattis, one of our BCF, is known for her enthusiastic, vibrant spirit. Ever since her son took his life, Donna’s been actively involved in grief ministry. She now has PLS, (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) which is similar to ALS, “a type of motor neuron disease that causes nerves within the brain to slowly break down. This makes the nerves unable to activate the motor neurons in the spinal cord, which control muscles.” Consequently, Donna can no longer speak, has a feeding tube because her throat muscles do not work, is mostly confined to a wheelchair, and can barely manage to type with one hand. I describe this debilitation so that you can empathize with Donna’s suffering. Each week brings about more limitations and loss. She knows she is slowly dying and is facing this reality with remarkable strength of spirit. If you would like to contact Donna to let her know of your care and support, here is her contact information. Also, Donna is on Caring Bridge. That’s a good place to read her journal entries; also, to see photos if you want to have an image of her when sending lovingkindness.
Donna Mattis, 429 Benton St., Anoka, MN 55303
Resources
Art
Rita Loyd’s Art – Erin Matteson recommends this, especially for programs related to self-compassion. Check her website to view Rita’s work or to write and ask for permission for usage.
Stella DeVenuta also creates beautiful art that she incorporates into her BC retreats. The section of her website is still under construction so when it is available I will share it with you. In the meantime, you can contact Stella through her homepage if you wish to view or use her work. (If any other BCF have art to be shared for the BC program, please notify me and I will happily share the info.)
Meditation
Charnel Ground Practice: A Powerful Meditation Practice in Relation to Suffering
When speaking with a friend of mine I mentioned how difficult it has been to hear the hateful political rhetoric. She told me about a meditation to defuse anger and discouragement. You can read about this meditation from an excerpt from Joan Halifax’s book, Compassion in the Charnel Ground: Finding Freedom Where Fear and Courage Meet at this website. And here is a brief quote from it.
“Whatever our profession or calling, charnel ground practice is available; we are always sitting in the midst of subtle or obvious suffering. The mire we fall into when we go over the edge-this also is a charnel ground. It’s a place where we have to face our own struggles, and where our compassion for others who are struggling in the depths can grow strong.”
I also located another resource regarding the charnel ground and compassion, this one by Pema Chodron as described by Cristin Lind.
Inspiration for LovingKindness Meditation
When I read the following from Robert Sordello’s book, Silence, I thought immediately of “Metta” meditation. Sordello writes from a psychological/spiritual perspective, not a Buddhist one. (He is the co-founder of the School of Spiritual Psychology.) These words of his encourage me to believe in the worth of practicing Metta.
“When we hold another within the Silence of our heart, the division-the split between perceiving myself “here” and the other person “over there”-dissolves because we now perceive a unified field. This kind of presence is what the poet Novalis means in the aphorism “I am you.” …. When we feel practiced in perceiving others more wholly within the surrounds of the particular contexts in which we meet them, and we have further learned to hold the inner image of the person within our heart, it become possible for us to hold the person within our heart regardless of whether that person is present or not. It is, however, important that we carefully make an image of that person within heart-consciousness and not just feel that we are holding the person in our heart, Then, even at a distance, the person will feel something. We are not practicing some sort of distance communication experiment, though, so it does no good to call the other person and ask if he or she felt what we were doing at 10:00 a.m. That procedure would be trying to get spiritual relating to conform to material relating. But when another person is in some sort of difficulty or in pain and we hold that person within our heart, that person finds inner capacities to meet his or her difficulties with inner presence and strength. Many people who have done this practice of imaging and holding within Silence for years have noted frequent instances of healing.”
TED talk To Overcome Challenges, Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
(“When you stop comparing yourself to others, you can accomplish great things”, says wheelchair athlete Dean Furness. He shares how, after losing the use of his legs in an accident, he discovered a powerful new mindset focused on redefining his “personal average” and getting better little by little.) This YouTube could provide for a stimulating conversation in relation to self-compassion, maybe for a study group or a Circle of Compassion.
Compassion for Creation: Earthbeat
The National Catholic Reporter website provides current world information on various aspects of climate change – both the positive movements taking place to lessen the devasting effects, as well as the negative consequences due to abuse and over-use of our planet. You can register for regular updates.
Stay the Course
My dear Boundless Compassion facilitators, we are currently experiencing such tremendous turmoil in our society. I do not need to name everything that is happening because all you have to do is look at the news feed on your digital device or watch the evening news to have this reality pierce your consciousness. Our group of BCF may be small in number, but our spirits contain a mighty power of compassion. Let’s continue to keep our eyes and hearts on this inherent virtue and move it into action whenever we can.
with much gratitude for each of you,
Keep Hope in Your Hearts
Equanimity is like the eye of the storm, the calm center, that is grounded in the knowledge that everything is constantly changing and much of it is out of our control. The mature oak is another symbol of equanimity. Firmly rooted in the earth, it’s not moved by the changing seasons and weather patterns. The tree owes this stability to its taproots, which anchor it securely so that it’s stable but not rigid, in strong storms.
~ Christine Wolf, “Finding a Better Balance”
Programs Related to Boundless Compassion
Most in-person BC programs have been cancelled/or rescheduled for next year. If you are offering online retreats or related BC studies, etc. I can publicize these with my regular monthly newsletter. If this is an option for you, please send a request to me with adequate details to be posted.
