August 2021 Newsletter for Boundless Compassion Facilitators

Greetings to each of you,

Here we are moving toward the end of August, the waning of the summer season and the approach of autumn. I hoped by now that Covid-19 would have lessened sufficiently that we could easily move into BC programs that involve in-person events. It looks like this might still be awhile, or at least approached with the CDC cautionary measures.

I’ve been both surprised and thankful for how many of you have been active with BC virtual events, as well as the ones that are being planned for the coming months.  You are carrying BC forward through this challenging era. Now is the time for those of you who are still wondering or searching for “what to do” in regard to activating and sharing the teachings of Boundless Compassion.  You’ll be in touch with your BCF Group leader about this when you have your next Zoom gathering. At that time, I hope you’ll have a plan that is ready to unfold.  Remember this does not have to be a “big” program like a retreat or workshop.  Leading a discussion on the BC book with a study group, church, or social organization, or by creating and leading a Circle of Compassion is one way of being a facilitator.  If you are unsure of the “how to” or the “what,” do consult with your BCF leader who will happily assist you.

I remind each of us of the importance of maintaining confidentiality. When we invite participants to share personal information in a group setting we are facilitating, please be sure to mention this aspect.  One way to do so, is to provide the page on the BCF website/resources:  Circle of Trust Touchstones

Let us continue to be joined in kinship in our desire for being a compassionate presence in this world of ours, so full of troubles and suffering.  Our care and kindness truly does make a difference.

with you on the journey,

Joyce

Boundless Compassion Resources

Music LovingKindness, Earth Mama

For those who lead Metta or LovingKindness meditation, Joyce Rouse (aka: Earth Mama) has composed a lovely chant based on the phrases that were a part of the meditation at the Four Day Retreat. I am also pleased that she included “Earth” in the Metta song. (“May Earth abide in loving kindness, may Earth be free from suffering…” ) Also, there’s a marvelous song, The Great Vision, based on the familiar song “Be Thou My Vision.” Scroll down toward the bottom of the page to listen to the songs or to download them. Lyrics are here.

Articles

Colleen Shepard writes: “A beautiful and encouraging essay by Ilia Delio. … Ultimately, she is encouraging us not only to care for creation but to love and be loved by creation. She asks the question, “Do we allow ourselves to be loved by all of nature?”

Delio writes:

“Econoesis invites us to find God in matter by experiencing the Absolute in the ordinariness of earth-life-matter creatures-cosmos. To contemplate God is to creatively unite with matter, to let matter touch us, speak to us, hold us and embrace us, lifting us up through the energies of love. To “care for creation” is not what we do for creation; rather, it is how we love creation. Do we love the trees, rabbits, deer, the fish, stars and wildlife? Better yet, do we allow ourselves to be loved by all of nature? Mary Oliver said it so well when she wrote: “My work is loving the world.”  This is what I mean by “care for creation,” that “my work is loving the world,” as the poet reflects, “which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished,” astonished that I am loved by the smallest of creatures, the tiny earthworm, the delicate petal of a flower, the conifer tree that rises high above me. Only in love will I become an artisan of the earth’s future.”

“Come Home to Yourself”, Kaira Jewel Lingo  Lions Roar, September 2021 issue

I hope you can access this excellent piece on mindfulness. I especially like it for a section in which she is walking slowly and becomes aware, first of her own body, and then of her gradual connection with others who are on the underside of the planet. It is such a creative way of connecting in oneness. Here is the quote in case you are unable to access the article.

“Then I turned my attention more toward the Earth and knew I was also walking on cool streams of water flowing under me, and hot, fiery liquid deep below, in the center of the Earth. I imagined walking on the feet of those directly opposite us on the other side of the planet. The soles of my feet touched the soles of a little baby taking tentative steps, and a pregnant woman, and an old grandpa. My feet touched the feet of a lonely, isolated person, and someone carried away by hatred and anger. I was also walking on the feet of someone who was right then doing walking meditation and enjoying the present moment. I was one with those walking the Earth whose hearts were filled with love and peace.”

“A Practice for Developing Kindness for Yourself”, Valerie Mason-John

a short review of Metta, lovingkindness meditation

“The Geography Of Sorrow” | Tim McKee | Issue 478 | The Sun Magazine

An interview with Francis Weller….

Articles on Mindfulness Related to Compassion

“What the Mirror Can Teach You About Yourself” An intriguing and creative approach to self-compassion. (Could be used on Day 2 of the Four Day retreat or Week 2 of a book study.) Dr. Tara Well explains how mirror meditation can transform self-criticism into self-compassion, help us manage our emotions, and improve our face-to-face communication, which is vital for managing stress and staying emotionally connected to ourselves and to others in the age of increasing reliance on digital technology. This is also in a TED talk.

“6 Ways to Build a Culture of Compassion” Scott Shute, the director of Mindfulness and Compassion at LinkedIn, shares a few simple gestures that can help foster compassion in our workplaces, families, and communities.

“4 Types of Workplace Culture”  (organization and business dynamics).

Picture the dynamics of your workplace according to how much it values well-being and strong relationships.

Boundless Compassion Events

If you are leading a BC event that is open to persons beyond your own area, I am happy to include this information in my regular monthly newsletters and also on the “Events” section of my website. You need to send this info to me at least a month previous to when the newsletter is to come out, and the information must include the following (in this order):

• date(s) of the event and the time (opening/closing)
• title of retreat
• indicate whether it’s virtual or in-person, or both
• place of the event (or who is sponsoring the event if it’s virtual)
• name(s) of presenter(s)
• where to write for Information (email and/or website)
• where to register (website or other…)