October 2020
Hurry, hurray! Please consider joining in on this special event. It’s a “first,” (and I hope not the last), for BCF to get acquainted as well as to share information and encouragement. I am excited and grateful for Wendy and Colleen initiating this event.
BCF Zoom Social
You are invited to join Wendy Mospan & Colleen Shepard for an opportunity to meet other BCFs and put ‘faces with names’. During this zoom, we will also brainstorm ideas on continuing to cultivate Boundless Compassion in these challenging times.
November 12, 2020 5:00PM PST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85619440669?pwd=K25MRUpnUEtZcWIyVUFlaEQ2bnVJUT09
Meeting ID: 856 1944 0669 Passcode: 747432
Please RSVP to Colleen Shepard [email protected]
BCF Core Team Meeting
On October 14th, we had our first Zoom communication. What a joy for us to finally meet one another, to hear how each came into the BC program, each one’s current activities, etc. It is such a joy to have this visionary and supportive group to accompany me in the leadership of the BC programs. At our next virtual meeting in November we will reflect on the goal/purpose of the Core Team. I’ll be sharing that with you in a future newsletter.
BCF Activities
(While it is not possible for me to include all of the current activities that BCF inform me about, I will regularly include those that offer a new look or additional inspiration.)
A Resource From Wendy Mospan [email protected]
“To update you on the 4-week compassion series We had a steady attendance of 18-22 women. The format was part guided meditation, part presentation and part group sharing. The group sharing was heartfelt, wise and, I believe, appreciated by all. There were several BCF in the group, so much wisdom. I covered a lot of the material from the Boundless Compassion program, as well as other material that fit the themes. After each session, I updated my presentation part on my spiritual direction website and shared it with the group, for their easy reference. You can find all four sessions on my website.”
From Michelle (Mickey) Reed [email protected]
We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another.
“I’m passing out these stickers as conversation starters with folks I have difficulty with in connecting. If you choose to play along, I hope you’ll share the results with me. Also, I placed an 18×24 sign with this message at the Board of Elections and a couple of voting sites thinking it might give people respite from the waves of anger/grief/ frustration that seem to come for so many of us.”
From Bobbi Bussan [email protected]
Our Circle of Compassion, which meets every week, elected to use your Transitions series produced by Emmaus Production. We watched the first one and had a marvelous discussion following it. We viewed the video; then we took 5 minutes to quietly journal or bring our thoughts together, followed by sharing. Marvelous, too, was Tara Brach’s video you recommended on Transformation…we watched it over two weeks and it worked well. The weekly format is really bonding and we are engaging each other in solid conversation plus sharing ‘prayers of compassion.’
Website Additions to BCF site
We now have a section on the audio/visual website where short audio pieces are available for your use. Currently these include: Loving Kindness Meditation, songs: I Open to You, (this song opens Circles of Compassion and other BC events), O May All Beings, (the closing song), and a Serenity Prayer Chant.
By early November, six files created by Stella deVenuta for her virtual Women’s Soul Circle will be available. These are from a spiritual growth event focused around the image of a nautilus shell. This creative retreat contains much of what you could use in forming your own self-compassion gathering around this image. There’s even a bookmark and an art piece for participants to respond to questions. Thank you, Stella, for your generosity in sharing so much with us.
Here is how you can locate BCF files: www.joycerupp.com
Boundless Compassion Facilitators, click on this and log in.
Go to: BCF Resources and click on it; this takes you to: BCF Programs.
Resources for BC Programs or Personal Enrichment
Norma Phelan send this short film on kindness. This video won the Oscar for the best-animated film. Only three minutes. A surprise ending. A great conversation starter or opening for quiet reflection.
Own Your Behaviors, Master Your Communication, Determine Your Success Louise Evans
I really like this video, 18 minutes. It has depth, quality, and is truly fitting for compassion especially regarding judgments/acceptance, etc. Related to Nonviolent communication, Marshall Rosenberg. It could be used with Week 1 of a retreat or any event related to compassion.
Walking for Peace Across the USA / uplifting messages Video: 12.34 minutes
To celebrate the International Day of Peace and Campaign Nonviolence, the Franciscan Peace Center asked folks from every state in the U.S. to tell them about their dreams, hopes, and work for peace. It’s a virtual walk across the United States. What about inviting your compassion groups to do a short Peace Walk where they live and then sharing their thoughts?
Also, if you are looking for succinct information about issues related to social justice, you can register here for their Action Alert Digest.
Mickey Reed recommends this article: This is How You Will Heal the Wound by Tony Woodlief. 13 valuable suggestions, deep and challenging, some quite unusual, all of them possible, to move through what is difficult.
The Prayer of the Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan
Open our hearts, that we may hear Your voice,
which constantly comes from within.
Disclose to us Your divine Light,
which is hidden in our souls,
that we may know and understand life better.
Most Merciful and Compassionate God,
give us Your great goodness;
teach us Your loving forgiveness;
raise us above the distinctions and differences
that divide us;
send us the peace of Your divine Spirit,
and unite us all in Your Perfect Being.
Amen.
Here is a quote from the poet Robert Lax to carry us through this challenging time in our country:
“The greatest thing you can do in this life is to cultivate and exercise compassion. Life is about learning how to flow with your basic goodness. It’s about entering the heart and making it the fount of your being.”
Thank you for continuing to “cultivate and exercise compassion.”
Joyce
Death of BCF
Last month I invited you to pray for Donna Mattis in Minnesota. Donna left this sphere of life on October 7. Donna was a dynamo of energy, a mother of eight, had walked the Camino in Spain three times, suffered the death of her son by suicide which led her to lead grief groups. I will miss Donna’s loving heart and dedicated compassion. If you wish to send cards to her husband Alan and family, you could send a note through Caring Bridge or by postal: Alan Mattis and family, 429 Benton St., Anoka, MN 55303.
