Finding peace, sharing kindness (part2)
With the kindness rocks project, we are sharing kindness out into the world. Some days, admittedly, that's not so easy. In fact, there are many days where you may just feel like you have little to give or just really be in need of some care and attention yourself. One way to do that is to slow down for a moment, to take some time to connect with the world around you, the people who live in it, and with yourself. In zen master Thich Nhat Hahn's book Finding Peace in Every Step, he shares some insight into this process.
“Around us, life bursts with miracles–a glass of water, a ray of
sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you
live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human
being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors,
shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain
that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart
that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired
and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these
miracles, but they are always there.”
This year, the Library will practice finding that peace and connection with each other by incorporating the ancient art of the mandala into our space. Mandala, which in its original Sanskrit means circle, is a practice that is integrated into both Hinduism and today's Buddhist religions as a method of connecting to oneself, to that world around us which Hahn speaks of, and to find peace. While there are all types of mandalas to be found today, the practice of creating one is best done in community. Each person comes and works, contributes to the creation of the whole, and the end result is something beautiful created only by coming together. That is the circle, the life, which is the meaning of the mandala.
During the 2017-18 school year, you will find a large mandala in the Library. We invite you to come, sit, color a while, help create the work of art that will represent each of you and us as a whole. Any time you need a break or just to connect with the world outside of yourself, you will find space and peace in the Library.
“Around us, life bursts with miracles–a glass of water, a ray of
sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you
live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human
being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors,
shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain
that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart
that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired
and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these
miracles, but they are always there.”This year, the Library will practice finding that peace and connection with each other by incorporating the ancient art of the mandala into our space. Mandala, which in its original Sanskrit means circle, is a practice that is integrated into both Hinduism and today's Buddhist religions as a method of connecting to oneself, to that world around us which Hahn speaks of, and to find peace. While there are all types of mandalas to be found today, the practice of creating one is best done in community. Each person comes and works, contributes to the creation of the whole, and the end result is something beautiful created only by coming together. That is the circle, the life, which is the meaning of the mandala.
During the 2017-18 school year, you will find a large mandala in the Library. We invite you to come, sit, color a while, help create the work of art that will represent each of you and us as a whole. Any time you need a break or just to connect with the world outside of yourself, you will find space and peace in the Library.
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