Category Archives: Meditations

Things Change

We’ve been here long enough to watch things change, as they do – cattails burst giving up of themselves, seedlings for next spring; the littlest of fawns growing up a bit, their soft white spots fading into tawny shades of brown; and orange cones removed, revealing fresh asphalted streets made ready for winter.  

I am humbled by this chance to be in one place of beauty for more than a day. I am inspired and reminded to not get stuck or too in love with the ways things were when we arrived, and consider the present state – of the cattails, the fawns, the asphalt – as one shape of the process not the beginning or ending or whole of itself. Like me.

I’ve been here long enough to watch things change in me, and practice releasing what I cling to as unmovable suffering or ultimate sublime.

Living in the In-between

Meditation Gathering: December 26, 2025 and January 7, 2026

We came together in the in-between time between this year and next, between Christmas and the day of Epiphany (the day the wise men delivered gifts to the baby Jesus), or on a more personal soul level, living in the mystery and wonder of what is yet unresolved or unknown.

Continue reading Living in the In-between

Pulling the Shade

I am practicing pulling down a compassionate shade between me and my self-criticism.

When “that” old worn-out, familiar thought of being not-enough or too-much barrels into my head, I imagine a shade separating me from the unloving voice of old stories and past regrets.

Imagine my surprise when one day, as I pictured tugging that yellowing cream-colored cracking roller-shade into place, this word was revealed: Magnificent!

I now practice separating from negative thoughts AND saying, “I am magnificent.” Isn’t that a hoot? Is that allowed? Heck, yes it is. It’s about time.-theresa

Heart for All

It was All Saints Day 2012 when I first saw this sapling, took her photo, and discovered the purple light while reviewing my pictures at the end of the day. She became what I designated as Trudy’s Tree – my memorial to my sweet sister who had died that January. Each year adding another rock, a small cross created from sloughed-off tree bark, and eventually more rocks contributed by friends also visiting the monastery river walk.

Continue reading Heart for All